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.

[pgkdan]

The Holy Father was knocked to the floor as was a Cardinal followig him. The Cardinal was taken to the hospital.

[Right Wing Assault]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34588834#34588834

Clearly knocked down in this video. Start watching at 1:02.

[anymouse]

God bless Pope Benedict

That's kind of in the job description. :)

and keep him safe from all harm.

I don't think he is too worried about that (else he's in the wrong business.)

[magisterium]

Wow! From the back, the hairstyle and the red jacket look the same in this video and the one from last year shown in post 42. I'm thinking it's the same person. If it's that easy to get back in after a previous attack - wearing the same clothes, even! - then they really need to overhaul the security.

[PGR88]

It seems only the Pope and other Christian leaders are disrespected these days.

[grey_whiskers]

Looked like Michael Jackson to me, but he's dead.

Cheers!

Prayers up for the Cardinal btw.

...and Merry Christmas.

[Coleus]

They are the “Swiss Guards”.>>>

and just as bad as the secret service.

[Just Lori]

In the video it looked like security was on her pretty quick. I know..... not quick enough.

[Just Lori]

I have a beautiful veil for just such an occasion, but I’ve never used it. Maybe someday....

[GCC Catholic]

Your in Rome?

Yes... for seminary studies. I still can't quite believe that I'm here... I've been here since July.

[Brytani]

Thank You!!! Another Conservative Seminary student....God is good!

[ELS]

I can’t see where the Cardinal comes into the picture. I keep looking for a red cap like the one he is wearing in the wheelchair as security pushes him away.

I believe the Cardinal was vested for Mass. He would have been wearing a mitre over his red cap.

[GiovannaNicoletta]

Exactly.

Their problem isn't necessarily with the Pope himself, but the One Who the Pope is seen as representing. The Pope is who they can get their hands on.

If they could kill Christ, they'd do that instead. Christ is the real object of hatred.

[equaviator]

“It seems only the Pope and other Christian leaders are disrespected these days.”

It seems that it doesn’t matter what the person’s title is. I think the disrespect we see is generic and that there’s far too much of it going around these days, period.

[Road Warrior ‘04]

Back atcha! Merry Christmas to you and that ole husband of yours!

[maggief]

[AppyPappy]

It was the same person.

[stephenjohnbanker]

I agree.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thank you, humblegunner. Older people find falls very scary, and with good reason. Mortality rates are disturbingly high for an elderly person in the year after a broken hip. This comes from a secondary series: broken hip --> impaired mobility --> compromised pulmonary activity --> pneumonia --> death. That's the most common event cascade.

On Google News I notice that most articles don't even mention Cardinal Roger Echeveria, 87, whose leg was broken. I will pray for Benedict, and for Roger, and for the female assailant who is evidently mentally ill.

(I say "mentally ill," but my husband remarks that if somebody's "hearing voices" or some such thing, being told to attack the Pope on Christmas, repeatedly --this was her second attempted assault and battery on the Pope--- you have to wonder about, I don't know, other influences...)

[DoughtyOne]

Thank you.