Woman jumps barrier, knocks down pope at Christmas Eve mass, Vatican says

VATICAN CITY – A woman jumped the barriers and knocked down the pope as he walked down the main aisle to begin Christmas Eve Mass, a Vatican spokesman said.

The commotion in St. Peter’s Basilica happened as Pope Benedict XVI arrived to celebrate the traditional Mass.

The Rev. Ciro Benedettini said the pope quickly got up and was unhurt. Benedict, 82, calmly resumed his walk to the basilica’s main altar and began the Mass late Thursday.

Benedettini said the woman who pushed the pope appeared to be mentally unstable and was arrested by Vatican police. She also knocked down Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who was taken to hospital for a checkup, Benedettini said.

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