A review of more than a dozen articles covering the security incident on Christmas Eve at St. Peter's Basilica where a woman knocked Pope Benedict to the ground as he walked down the isle before Midnight Mass reveals the following...
* The attacker, Susanna Maiolo, who jumped the security barrier is a 25 year-old is a Swiss-Italian national. She was apprehended, unarmed, "almost immediately but not before she was able to grab the Pope’s vestments and drag him to the ground." She reportedly has a "history of mental problems". In fact, in 2008, she had also jumped the barrier - wearing "the same red hooded sweat shirt" - in an attempt to approach the Holy Father but was restrained by security guards. She apparently lives in Switzerland and traveled to Rome "specifically for the Mass, as she did last year." She reportedly told doctors that she "intended no harm but merely wished to greet the Pope." After the incident, she was placed under observation in a psychiatric facility near Rome
* The 82 year-old Pope Benedict XVI was said to be shaken but, thankfully "and perhaps miraculously", was unhurt after the incident. He got up quickly, "proceeded down the aisle to cheers of 'Viva il Papa!' ('Long live the Pope')", and celebrated Mass without further interruption. The Holy Father did not mention the event in the various talks he made over the weekend and his schedule was not disturbed. He appeared to be "in good shape" days after the incident although at the Christmas blessing at St. Peter's he did appear "unsteady on his feet". According to the director of the Vatican press office, Pope Benedict has "already forgiven his assailant"
* Another prelate, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, was harmed during the incident. The 87 year-old Cardinal was taken away in a wheelchair after suffering a broken femur. He has undergone hip-replacement surgery and is said to be "in good condition"
* Since the incident, the Pope's security has been under scrutiny. However, it is noted that it is "impossible" to provide "watertight security" for the Pope since he needs to be close to people and therefore "there will always be a risk". In fact, as one article notes "This was the fifth time in Benedict’s four and a half year pontificate that he has been the object of attacks during public ceremonies." In the present incident, it "seems that [security forces] intervened at the earliest possible moment" but the Vatican will reportedly review their security procedures
* The Vatican is considering what action to take against the woman who knocked the Pope down. A spokesman has, however, said that Vatican justice "is usually benevolent". There is some talk of putting his assailant into long term care at an Italian psychiatric institution and also about the possibility of banning her from St. Peter's Basilica
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