VATICAN CITY (Dec. 25) – The Vatican will review its security procedures after a woman involved in a 2008 attempt to rush Pope Benedict XVI jumped a barrier in St. Peter’s Basilica during Christmas Eve Mass and knocked him down, the Vatican spokesman said Friday.
Benedict, 82, wasn’t hurt and delivered his traditional Christmas Day greetings in 65 languages from the loggia overlooking St. Peter’s Square. While a bit unsteady at first, he also delivered a short speech about the world’s trouble spots without problem.
The incident raised fresh questions about security for the pontiff, however, after officials said the woman involved had jumped the barrier at the 2008 Midnight Mass in a bid to get to the pope. She even wore the same red-hooded sweat shirt.
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The Vatican identified the woman involved in Thursday night’s incident as Susanna Maiolo, 25, a Swiss-Italian national with psychiatric problems who was immediately taken to a clinic for treatment. Efforts to obtain further details on Maiolo’s background were unsuccessful, with Vatican and hospital officials citing privacy laws.
In the 2008 case, the woman never managed to reach the pope and was quietly tackled by security. During Thursday night’s service, the pope’s attacker launched herself over the barricade as Benedict processed down the aisle at the start of Christmas Eve service. As security guards wrestled her to the ground, she grabbed onto Benedict’s vestments, bringing him down with her.
Tags: Catholic Church, Midnight Mass, Pope, Vatican
