VATICAN CITY — A convicted murderer with a history of psychiatric problems climbed onto the side of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday and perched there for hours until firefighters dragged him to safety, police said.

The drama ended about three hours before the start of a major Holy Week ceremony — an Easter vigil Mass in the basilica.

Police identified the man as Rino Santilli and said he spent at least three years in a mental institution after being convicted of killing a man.

"We know that he underwent psychiatric treatment," police spokesman Marco Catana said.

Vatican officials said Santilli had a letter for Pope John Paul II to promote his idea of setting up a lottery with proceeds to benefit children. Because of the man's reported criminal record, the officials said, he was turned over to Italian authorities.

The man, who was secured to the rail by a cord around his waist, was perched on the dome designed by Michelangelo for several hours Saturday afternoon as firefighters, a bishop and other clergymen tried to persuade him to climb back to safety.

Suddenly, firefighters and other rescuers scrambled over the railing, grabbed the man and heaved him upside down over the rail and onto the terrace.

The Italian news agency ANSA reported that Santilli had fatally stabbed the mayor of his hometown in central Italy in 1983. He was released after serving five years in prison, ANSA said. The news agency said that following his release in 1988, Santilli tried to jump from Giotto's bell tower at Florence's cathedral, but was overpowered by police.

Private Italian TV Sky TG24 TV, which showed the rescue live, interviewed Giuseppina Santilli, from the central region of Abruzzo, who said the man was her 45-year-old son, though she hadn't seen the footage of the drama.

She said her son had a history of psychiatric problems, and might have been seeking help to care for poor people. The woman said her son had left home in the morning, saying he was headed to Rome to spend the day with friends.

The pope has been convalescing in his apartment in the Apostolic Palace — about 200 yards from the basilica — after throat surgery on Feb. 24. He designated a cardinal to stand in for him at the vigil Mass.

Human skeleton found inside LA chimney

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES— A human skeleton was found in the chimney of an abandoned South Los Angeles building, police said Saturday. The bones belonged to an "unidentified young person," the Police Department said in a statement.

Children discovered the remains Friday night while looking for a ball on the roof of a building near Main and 89th streets, police said.

A youngster peering into the chimney saw what appeared to be a skull.

Authorities were investigating and no further details were immediately available.

Doctors increasingly pessimistic about chances of survival for ailing Prince Rainier

Associated Press

MONACO — Monaco braced for the worst as Prince Rainier III appeared Saturday to be losing his fight against heart, lung and kidney failure, with his doctors increasingly pessimistic about the chances of survival for the 81-year-old ruler of one of Europe's oldest dynasties.

Pope John Paul II, himself struggling with poor health, sent a message of support for Rainier, who has overseen the tiny Mediterranean principality for more than a half-century.

As the prince spent a fifth straight day in intensive care, the palace issued its most pessimistic statement yet on his prospects for survival, saying his prognosis was "extremely reserved." A similar news release Friday did not use the word "extremely."

"Despite the most appropriate care and control of the broncho-pulmonary infection," a palace health report said, "the cardiac, lung and kidney functions are progressively deteriorating."

The prince's health "does not stop worsening," said the bulletin, which was signed by three doctors.

Rainier's three children — Caroline, Albert and Stephanie — continued to take turns visiting the hospital. Caroline's two sons, Andrea and Pierre, accompanied their mother to his bedside on Saturday.

Rainier, whose movie-star wife, Grace Kelly, died in a car crash in 1982, has suffered ill health in recent years and was hospitalized at the Cardio-Thoracic Center on March 7 with a chest infection. He was transferred to the intensive care unit Tuesday.

The pope sent a special blessing to Rainier, the palace said Saturday, saying he was united with the prince "in thoughts and prayer" and offering his heartfelt wishes.

"Entrusting in the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the pope asks the Lord to give you comfort and the support of grace and accords the prince and his family a special apostolic blessing," said the pontiff's message, sent Friday.

Rainier, who has ruled Monaco since 1949, is beloved in the principality he transformed into a modern and elegant enclave for the rich.

"All we can do is hope for the best," said Bruno Paillet, 41, a waiter sitting in a cafe reading a front-page article in Monaco-Matin newspaper with the headline: "Rainier: Serious state confirmed."

"Oh, it's going to be sad, very sad," he said, pausing to look up from his newspaper.

The Mediterranean principality, meanwhile, was packed with visitors for Easter weekend. Tourists posed for pictures in front of the Bentleys, Rolls-Royce and Ferraris that filled the priority parking places outside the famed Monte Carlo Casino. Inside, roulette wheels were spinning throughout the day.

Tourists also clogged the windy streets of old Monaco, where Rainier's family huddled inside the royal palace — away from photographers.

Some Monaco residents were coming to grips with the possibility that the era under the only monarch they have ever known may be winding to a close.

"I can't bring myself to think of his replacement," said Christine Garcia, 46, as she pushed a stroller holding her twins. "It is the type of person that you want to live forever."

Rainier's family, the Grimaldis, have ruled Monaco for more than 700 years. However, Albert — long groomed to assume Rainier's mantle as monarch — has not married, raising concerns about heirs. In 2002, Monaco changed its succession law to allow power to pass from a reigning prince who has no descendants to his siblings.

Albert, 47, would take the title His Serene Highness. Princess Caroline, 48, would be next in line to the throne, followed by her oldest son, Andrea, now 20.

Inventor of Mae West vest dies in Modesto home

Associated Press

MODESTO — World-renowned inventor Andrew Toti, designer of the Mae West vest flotation device that saved the life of a president, has died.

He passed away at his rural Modesto home last Sunday. He was 89.

Toti invented what was known in World War II as the Mae West vest, an inflatable life preserver that saved the lives of thousands of pilots — including future president George H.W. Bush, a torpedo bomber pilot who was shot down over the Pacific.

When Toti was honored at a ceremony last November, former President Bush sent greetings through Mr. Toti's daughter, Andrea Pimental of Sacramento: "Please tell (your father) a grateful Navy man who benefited from his invention sends his best wishes."

Mario Ricci, a friend since 1949, remembered talking to Toti about history and invention one day as they looked at the columns of the Roman Forum.

"He wondered how people could have done that kind of work 2,000 years ago and we enjoy it today," Ricci recalled. "I said, 'Andrew, one day they'll be reading in history books about your accomplishments."'

At the time of his death, Toti held more than 500 patents for inventions, including one for the pull tab on soda and beer cans.

He also invented the automatic chicken plucker, which revolutionized the poultry business.

Toti co-invented the Endo-Flex endotracheal tube, a breathing tube used during surgery, which was featured in a recent episode of the TV show "ER."

Toti is survived by his daughter, his stepson, Raymond Webster of Crescent City, one grandchild and two great-grandchildren.