Pope security scare

The spiritual leader of the world's 1.1 billion Roman Catholics appeared back on form Friday when he appeared in front of tens of thousands of people who had gathered in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican to hear his traditional Christmas message.

"In the face of the exodus of all those who migrate from their homelands and are driven away by hunger, intolerance or environmental degradation," the Roman Catholic Church calls for "an attitude of acceptance and welcome," he said, looking calm and collected as he gave the "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) message just hours after a woman jumped a security barrier and lunged at him, causing him to fall to the ground.

The 82-year-old German-born pope said that society remains "deeply marked by a severe economic crisis and the painful wounds of war and conflict." The pontiff also expressed solidarity with those affected by natural disasters and poverty.

Pope Benedict urged Catholics to "abandon all logic of violence and revenge" and engage with "force" and "generosity" on "the path of peaceful coexistence."

"Unbalanced" assailant

The assault occurred on Thursday as Benedict approached the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica, bearing a gold cross.

Video footage showed the 82-year-old pontiff being knocked to the ground as a woman jumped the barrier to get to him. He was not harmed and quickly returned to his feet, before continuing to lead a procession of 30 cardinals to the altar, where he delivered the traditional Mass that marks the birth of Jesus Christ.

However, onlookers said the pope appeared to be shaken by the incident while he gave his address.

The attacker, identified as 25-year-old Susanna Maiolo, was seized by the pope's security and handed over to police.

A Vatican spokesperson described the woman, who is of dual Swiss-Italian nationality, as "apparently unbalanced," adding that she had attempted to jump a barricade to reach the pope at last year’s Christmas mass.

Italian media said the woman did not harbor malicious intentions.

An elderly French cardinal, who was also knocked to the ground in the commotion, is reported to have broken his hip.

Vatican to review security

The Vatican has said it will review its security procedures following the incident. Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi said it is not realistic to think the Vatican can ensure 100 percent security for the pontiff considering he is regularly surrounded by tens of thousands of people for his audiences, masses and other events.

The latest security scare comes less than two weeks after Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was struck in the face and injured by an assailant in a crowd in Milan.

Pope calls for less focus on self

This year's Christmas Eve Mass, which is traditionally held at midnight, was held two hours early due to concerns over Pope Benedict's health. The Vatican said the change was "no cause for alarm," and that the pontiff's condition was "absolutely normal" for a man of his age.

"Conflict and lack of reconciliation in the world stem from the fact that we are locked into our own interests and opinions, into our own little private world," Benedict said in his address before a crowd of some 10,000 followers who had gathered in St. Peter’s basilica.

He also recounted the story of Christ's birth in a manger in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago, and urged people to find more time for God in both their personal lives and in society as a whole.

"We live our lives by philosophies, amid worldly affairs and occupations that totally absorb us and are a great distance from the manger," he said.

rb/dfm/nw/AFP/dpa/Reuters
Editor: Chuck Penfold