Pope knocked to the floor at Christmas Eve Mass [Video]

Benedict lost his gold-trimmed miter and staff when the woman grabbed the front of his robe and pulled him to the floor. He was not harmed, quickly recovered and was able to go ahead with the Mass.

Spectators and the pope's security personnel, however, were startled, with gasps audible as black-suited guards shoved aside acolytes to reach the fallen pontiff.

There were reports that the woman, dressed in a red hooded jacket, had attempted to pull a similar stunt last year.





The woman was described by Italian news agency ANSA as confused and agitated. The agency said she was being held by Vatican security and quoted her as saying she merely wanted to embrace the pontiff.

Father Federico Lombardi, the pope's spokesman, told reporters that the woman, who jumped a security barrier in the center aisle of the cavernous basilica to crash the procession, was "apparently unbalanced" emotionally.