A shaken Pope Benedict has said Christmas Mass in St Peter's Basilica shortly after being knocked over by a woman spectator who jumped barriers.
The woman, said to be mentally unstable, jumped security barriers as Benedict XVI entered the basilica for the traditional Christmas Eve service.
Source: BBC
The woman, said to be mentally unstable, jumped security barriers as Benedict XVI entered the basilica for the traditional Christmas Eve service.
- Proceeding with the Mass, he looked shaken and stumbled over some words.
- The service started two hours early because officials do not want the 82-year-old pontiff to get tired.
- The security incident involving the woman at St Peter's Basilica lasted only a few seconds.
- The woman who was reportedly wearing a red jumper tried to jump the barrier and the Pope was thrown off balance and fell, prompting shocked gasps among the crowd.
- Security officials rushed down the main aisle to detain the woman.
- The woman who pushed the Pope also knocked down Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who was taken to hospital for a check-up, Vatican spokesman Ciro Bedettini said.
- The woman whose name was not immediately known was later arrested by police.
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