An unidentified woman ripping off the security fence in the basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican on Thursday, when Pope Benedict came in 16th place, knocking him to the ground when he was preparing to start the Christmas Eve Mass.

According to Ciro Benedettini, a spokesman for the Vatican, the Pope stood up quickly, without suffering injury, and continued his walk to the altar to celebrate the traditional mass. Also according to the spokesman, the woman – who apparently suffered from mental problems – was arrested by police from the Vatican.

According to Federico Lombardi, another spokesman for the Vatican, the woman in question, described as “unstable” threw herself toward the pope when he entered the basilica. Last year, she had tried to attack Benedict 16, also at Christmas mass.

The fifth mass of Benedict’s pontificate began 19h (GMT), two hours earlier than the traditional time of midnight. The new schedule was adopted by the Holy See to save the pontiff‘s 82 years, which this time of year chairing a series of celebrations and meets an intense agenda.

Earlier this month, the spokesman for the Vatican, Father Federico Lombardi, said the decision to bring forward the start of the Mass celebrated on Christmas Eve would be designed to “relieve a little tired” of the pope.

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Via: MSNBC.