Da Vinci Obsessive Stabs Priest

A Catholic priest is fighting for his life after he was stabbed in the throat by a man obsessed with The Da Vinci Code.

Father Canio Canistri, 68, was among three people attacked by Marco Luzi, 25, after he burst into the church following the screening of Dan Brown's blockbuster.

Police searched Luzi's house and found a picture of Leonardo Da Vinci's Last Supper - a vital part of the plot in the controversial thriller.

He also told detectives he had watched the film the night before.

The attack took place at the Santa Marcella church in Rome and left two other worshippers needing treatment.

Hero police officer Luca Gori, 41, who disarmed Luzi, suffered knife wounds to his stomach as he struggled with him on the floor of the church.

Witnesses said Luzi had burst in armed with two knives, and carrying a set of rosary beads.

He is said to have shouted that he was the ''Antichrist'' as well as talking about the Da Vinci Code.

They also found several notes and documents with titles like 'The Hidden Truth', 'I, the Antichrist', 'Predictions' and 'Apocalypse'.

Next to the painting of The Last Supper was a note saying:''This is the hand where the knife is hidden.''

Published in 2003, Brown's The Da Vinci Code has caused controversy around the world.

It follows symbologist Robert Langdon as he investigates a murder in the Louvre.

He then goes onto discover a battle between the Priory of Sion and Opus Dei over the possibility of Jesus having been married to and fathering children with Mary Magdalene.

Senior Cardinals critcised the book and called on Catholics to boycott it as a ''dishonest attack'' on the Church.