LaPorte composed himself in the position of the Buddhist monks of Vietnam, doused himself with gasoline and set himself aflame. LaPorte died the next day at Bellevue Hospital from second- and third-degree burns covering 95 percent of his body. Despite his burns LaPorte remained conscious and able to speak. When asked why he had burned himself LaPorte calmly replied, "I'm a Catholic Worker. I'm against war, all wars. I did this as a religious action...all the hatred of the world." At the hospital, Catholic Workers sang 'This Little Light of Mine'.