An Italian-Swiss woman with a "history of mental problems" leaped a Vatican City barricade, grabbed Pope Benedict XVI's vestments and knocked the 82-year-old pontiff to the floor as he walked down the aisle of St. Peter's Basilica to deliver Christmas Eve mass.
The incident was over in a matter of seconds as Vatican guards rushed to his rescue and wrestled the woman to the ground before taking her away for questioning. Unfazed and unhurt, Pope Benedict got up immediately and continued with the procession, blessing the faithful. He began with a wish for peace in Latin "Pax Vobis," but there was no mention of the tackle. The Vatican identified the woman as Susanna Maiolo, a 25-year-old Italian Swiss national. The statement says she was not armed but shows signs of mental instability, and has since been admitted to a health facility for compulsory treatment.
Maiolo is the same woman who tried to attack the Pope in a Christmas Eve 2008 security breach at St. Peter's. At that time she was detained by Vatican police and taken to a mental institution.
His Holiness was unscathed but the 87-year-old Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who was also knocked down, broke his hip and will undergo surgery. Pope Bendict delivered his Christmas message today and did not mention the assault. The Vatican is reportedly reviewing security procedures. Watch raw video of the incident AFTER THE JUMP...
Wow. Can't say I'm surprised to given everything the Catholics have done and what their church stands for.
Posted by: D. Askew | 25 December 2009 at 13:11
Maybe she isn't so crazy. With archbishops and bishops stepping down in Ireland over this latest outrageous sex predator cover up ... who knows, maybe she or a loved one was molested by a priest.
Posted by: Former COGIC | 25 December 2009 at 13:23
crazy religious fanatics
Posted by: Daniel | 25 December 2009 at 13:45
This is becoming a yearly thing now. Okey dokey...
Posted by: Saadiq | 25 December 2009 at 17:09
I like how the security is just so cool and takes their time to get to the scene of the commotion. it's almost like they were in on it.
Posted by: seanndc | 25 December 2009 at 17:29
Haha poor guy..... NOT
Serves him right for those comments he made over in Africa,
"Condoms make AIDS worse"
Karma is a b*tch.
Posted by: History Major | 25 December 2009 at 20:18
Yea, this is what happens when you spend billions protecting child sex predators and fighting gay rights.
Better luck next year
Posted by: Nate Collins | 25 December 2009 at 20:41
crazy religious fanatics
Posted by: Whatuthink | 25 December 2009 at 20:53
Obviously this woman is very disturbed and/or obsessed with the pope and the church. But I will say that this man is responsible for the Roman Catholic Church covering up the abuse of thousands of boys and young men...and fighting gay rights and marriage across the world....and telling women in africa and latin america not to use condoms...
I could go on but why?
Posted by: Carter G | 25 December 2009 at 23:33
If she really wanted those ruby Prada slippers ... well, you can always drop a house on him.
Posted by: Faison | 25 December 2009 at 23:43
LOL, Faison. Too funny!
Posted by: Rigga | 26 December 2009 at 12:38
I'd heard Benny was a real-pushover, but, I mean... really...
Posted by: Andy Niable | 27 December 2009 at 15:38
I've been waiting for someone to knock him down...
Posted by: dt | 28 December 2009 at 08:47