Pope Unhurt After Being Knocked Down

Zenit.org ^ | DEC. 24, 2009 | Aenit.org

[Salvation]

Pope Unhurt After Being Knocked Down

VATICAN CITY, DEC. 24, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is unhurt after he was knocked down tonight as he entered St. Peter's Basilica to celebrate the Christmas vigil Mass, reports a Vatican spokesman.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, told reporters that an "apparently unbalanced" woman jumped the barriers and ran toward the Pope and knocked him to the ground as he walked down the main aisle toward the altar.

The woman also collided with Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, 87, who also fell to the ground.

The Holy Father, 82, got back on his feet quickly. When seeing that the Pontiff recovered, the thousands who had gathered in the basilica for Mass cheered.

Cardinal Etchegaray, who is the former president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, was taken to the hospital for a check-up.

The woman was seized by bodyguards and was arrested by the police and taken in for questioning.

The Christmas vigil Mass was celebrated for the first time in recent memory at 10 p.m., instead of at midnight, in an effort to make Christmas "a little less tiring for the Pope."

[Salvation]

Thank you, God, for protecting Pope Benedict XVI. He is so precious to all Catholics.

[Salvation]

Ping!

[freedumb2003]

Hasn’t he been assaulted recently as well?

[Salvation]

I believe the same woman tried this last year too. Not sure about other incidents this year.

[rbosque]

That lady has mental problems, I hope she gets the help she needs.

[elli1]

Dated December 24.

Must really be a slow news day to be recycling week old news.

[freedumb2003]

Next time, the Conclave should elect a Pope with a kung-fu grip or something...

[icwhatudo]

This is week old news, check the date.

[GOP_Lady]

The article is dated Christmas Eve.

This is the incident that was in the news then.

[freedumb2003]

>>This is week old news, check the date<<

But a few month ago..?

[Salvation]

There wasn’t a thread about it so I thought, “Why not?”

Sorry if you have a problem with it.

[onyx]

Same woman from 2008’s Christmas Eve Mass.
She’s mental and must be permanently kept away from our beloved Pope Benedict XVI.

Viva il Papa!

Prayers for all of us for a happy and healthy new year!

[gusopol3]

There wasn’t a thread about it

I'll bet there were ten or more, links to videos, etc, etc. Did you know an 87 yo cardinal had his leg broken in the same incident?

[Brytani]

Oh Thank God, this is the same story from Christmas Mass. I thought he’d been attacked again.

[RedMDer]

She needs some medical help. Tried the same this last
Christmas and failed.

[Revolting cat!]

During my time we burned such witches at stake! That was before Mr Fraud and his theories.

[To Hell With Poverty]

Hm, perhaps an exorcism is in order then?

[Dr. North]

Meanwhile, the protester who bounced off the Pope is wondering what happened.