Pope Knocked Down

Pope Benedict knocked down before the Grand Mass. Susanna Maiolo, 25, jumped over the barricades and grabbed Pope’s Robe near his neck. Susanna had tried to jump at Pope last year too but she was held at bay by the Vatican Security.

Pope Benedict was seemed shocked and shaken throughout the Mass proceedings. Although Pope Benedict was unharmed after this episode but incident caused French cardinal Roger Etchegaray to displace and broke his hip bone. He was standing a few meters away from the Pope and fell during the struggle made by security to overwhelm the woman.

Vatican in a statement later said that Pope will give the Mass on Christmas as was previously planned.

Susanna Maiolo possesses the dual nationality of Switzerland and Italy and she is considered mentally ill. Susanna is under custody after the incident and authorities have taken her to a medical facility.

The mass was started two hours earlier than the traditional Midnight Mass so that Pope Benedict could have some rest before appearing again for the Christmas Mass.

The Vatican spokesman declared it an assault but thanked God that she was not armed. An eyewitness American tourist Marybeth Burns recount the incident as when Susana attacked Pope Benedict, all the security was on Pope in a wink of eye, pulling the woman back off Pope Benedict.

Pope had appeared earlier in the night at the window of his studio to lit candle, a sign of peace.

The Christmas celebrations started with Boy Scout band and were ended after the Mass at Saint Catherine Church. Pope Benedict XVI blessed millions present to have a glimpse of the holy man at St. Peter Square.