Pope knocked down by woman at Christmas Mass

A Vatican spokesman says a woman jumped the barriers in St Peter's Basilica and knocked down Pope Benedict XVI as he walked down
Pope Benedict XVI knocked down
In this image made from amateur video obtained by APTN, an unidentified woman, (C), is pulled by a guard as she grabs Pope Benedict XVI after jumping over a barricade in Vatican City. (AP Photo)
the main aisle to begin Christmas Eve Mass. ( Watch Video )

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 last night.

Benedettini said the woman who pushed the pope appeared to be mentally unstable and had been arrested by Vatican police.

He said she also knocked down Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, who was taken to hospital for a check up.