An Austrian man is suing a Catholic church in Linz over the cathedral's bells, which chime around the clock.
Wolfgang Lassy claimed in court documents that he suffers from a sleep disorder that can be attributed to the chiming.
The New Cathedral, also known as Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, has bells that chime every 15 minutes, night and day. Lassy, an architect, bought his "dream home" near the church in 2004, and allegedly was suffering from fatigue by 2010.
"For the last few years he's been having problems sleeping at night and been feeling exhausted, and it's not only influenced his personal life but also his performance at work," his lawyer, Piotr Pyka, told RT.
"We respect the church and acknowledge the rights to practice one's religion but we would also like the church to acknowledge our client and anyone else to have a peaceful sleep."
Lassy even wrote a letter to Pope Francis, urging the Church leader to use his influence to grant him some relief.
"The bells in the Linz Cathedral clock tower ring every quarter of an hour at night. Between 10pm and 6am … they ring 222 times," he wrote, according to AFP.
"We therefore beseech you, Holy Father, to intervene … to ensure that the human right of the people of Linz to a healthy and refreshing night's sleep is respected and that the bells no longer chime at night."
The 57-year-old said his last resort would be to sell the home. The court hearing began on Friday, and Lassy rejoiced that "the trial has finally begun."
