By Susan Brinkmann, OCDS
Staff Journalist

The 25 year-old Swiss-Italian woman who jumped a barricade in St. Peter’s Basilica and knocked Pope Benedict XVI to the ground on Christmas Eve expressed regret for her actions during a private meeting with the pope that took place yesterday.

According to the Times OnLine, the pope met with Susanna Maiolo to let her know that he forgave her for the incident.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said Ms. Maiolo met privately with the pope along with two relatives and “told the Holy Father of her regret for the incident that happened at the beginning of the celebration of Midnight Mass last month. For his part, the Pope expressed his forgiveness as well as his cordial concern and his best wishes for her health.”

Ms. Maiolo, who has a history of psychiatric problems, attempted to attack the pope at the same Mass last year but was repelled by Vatican security. She succeeded this year and although the Pope was unhurt in the attack, Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, 87, fell and broke his hip and remains hospitalized in Rome. The incident has caused an urgent review of papal security.

The Vatican is conducting an investigation into the incident but has yet to decide whether to prosecute Ms Maiolo. 

© All Rights Reserved, Living His Life Abundantly®/Women of Grace®  http://www.womenofgrace.com