Woman Knocks Down Pope At Christmas Mass

Sky News ^

[Sub-Driver]

Woman Knocks Down Pope At Christmas Mass

Alex Watts, Sky News Online A woman has been arrested after jumping over barriers and knocking down the Pope at Christmas Eve Mass.

Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict XVI was attacked as he walked down the main aisle to begin the service at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican.

Vatican spokesman Ciro Benedettini said the 82-year-old quickly got to his feet and was unhurt.

Benedict calmly resumed his walk to the Basilica's main altar and then began the Mass.

[Cicero]

I’ve googled around a bit, and the story seems to be that it was a crazy woman who tried to bite the pope in the neck.

Here’s one comment from a blog, which may or may not be accurate:

Anna Arco carries the story of a woman who is a Italian residing in Switzerland where she is in psychiatric care. The woman was apparently motivated by the reports in which the Pope’s Christmas message had been interpreted as a direct attack on homosexuals and transsexuals. She is now in police custody. It is unclear whether she will be returned to Switzerland.

[Brytani]

Prayers for the healing of the Cardinal and Thanks be to God Papa was not harmed.

I was not able to watch the Mass this evening and missed taping it but have it set to tape tomorrow when they replay it.

Merry Christas Onyx

[don-o]

Insanity or demon possession? You decide.

[Brytani]

Benedict will forgive her, as Pope John Paul forgave his would-be assassian.

[Larry Lucido]

OMG I was just gonna ping the good Doctor and say the exact same thing, but wondered if it would be a bit too mischevious. :)

[livius]

The woman was apparently motivated by the reports in which the Pope’s Christmas message had been interpreted as a direct attack on homosexuals and transsexuals.

Is "she" actually a "he," I wonder?

[rdl6989]

Insanity or demon possession? You decide.

I'll say insanity and a lack of class.

[don-o]

Of course he will. It’s in his job description.

But, that mope who shot JP2 in still in jail - where he needs to stay until he dies.

[ELS]

Fox News just showed some blurry footage of the incident (from a different camera angle than the Vatican’s live coverage of the Mass).

[EBH]

Naw,,,they just need to assure their palace in h*ll.

[traumer]

the usual suspects were rounded...

[GCC Catholic]

Just got back to my computer after the Mass. From what we heard here, the woman was Spanish. When she jumped the fence, she grabbed the Pope's chasuble, pulling him into a French cardinal, who was also knocked down, and who was taken to the hospital.

A note to whoever mentioned the Swiss Guards: they don't walk alongside the Pope in procession.

All I knew from where I was (behind the altar in the choir) was that something was amiss, because we heard the gasp/scream that suggested something bad had happened. When the Pope and other bishops came in, we assumed everything was alright.

Interesting times...

[ClayinVA]

There has been a rash of these type events lately. Good bodyguards must be in short supply. Some nut job is going to get lucky and all hell is going to break loose depending on his target.

[netmilsmom]

>>OMG I was just gonna ping the good Doctor and say the exact same thing, but wondered if it would be a bit too mischevious. :) <<

Well I shot egg nog right up my nose!
Oh man, my sinues will be merry for a week!

[don-o]

We’re off to Mass to pray for the Holy Father as well as celebrate the Nativity of our Lord.

[ClayinVA]

looks like a crap load of armed plainclothes security but they were mostly in the wrong place.

[Red in Blue PA]

the woman appeared to be mentally unstable=Obama voter

[dfwgator]

Where were the Swiss Guards?

[Larry Lucido]

She should have been swiss cheese....