JAKARTA - On December 24, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI was walking in the aisle of St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican. He was about to deliver a Christmas Eve homily and a woman attacked him. The woman is 25 years old and is known to have psychological problems.
Citing The Guardian, Pope Benedict was unharmed and was still able to deliver his Christmas Eve homily. In his homily Benedict urged the world to "wake up" from selfishness and petty business and find time for God and spiritual things.
Many amateur videos show the woman wearing a red shirt. He jumped over the wooden barrier that blocked the basilica's main hallway and rushed toward Pope Benedict before being swarmed by guards. He grabbed Pope Benedict's robes and tugged at it.
Benedict fell soon after. The woman named Susanna Maiolo had previously tried to do the same thing during the 2008 Christmas Midnight Mass.
But his efforts at that time were not successful because they were repelled. Maiolo has been treated at a clinic outside Rome since the incident.
Benedict looked a little shaky as he approached his chair overlooking St. Peter's Square to deliver the homily. He was finally supported by a servant.
But he then stretched out his arms, blessed the crowd and delivered his 'Urbi et Orbi' speech, which is Latin for 'For the city (Rome) and the world' without any problems. He continued with Merry Christmas wishes in 65 different languages, which drew constant cheers and chants from the crowd.
In January 2010, Pope Benedict XVI met and pardoned Susanna Maiolo. The pope also met his family in a private audience, said Vatican spokesman, Reverend Federico Lombardi.
Maiolo apologized to Pope Benedict. Meanwhile Benedict asked about his health and "wanted to show his forgiveness."
Attack on the PopeSince the September 11, 2001 terrorist acts in the United States (US), the Vatican has tightened security at events that present the pope. All visitors must pass through the police to enter the square.
Those entering the basilica had to pass through a metal detector or be scanned with a metal wand. Security analysts often warn the pope is too open in public appearances.
Citing History, Pope John Paul II was shot and seriously injured while passing through the square in an open car in Rome, Italy, in 1981. The shooter was a man from Turkey, Mehmet Ali Agca, who fired four shots.
One of them hit the whale's stomach and almost hit a vital organ. While another shot hit the pope's left hand.
The weapon that Agca was holding at that time was immediately seized by those who saw it. The Pope was rushed by ambulance to Rome's Gemelli Hospital, where he underwent more than five hours of surgery and is in a critical but stable condition.
Pope John Paul II then visited Agca in prison and had a private conversation and decided to be friends. The Pope kept in touch with the Agca family during his detention.
The Pope even asked the Italian government for a pardon for Agca to be released in 2000. Agca was later extradited to Turkey.
Despite being pardoned, Agca remained in prison in Turkey until 2010. Four years later, he returned to Rome to pay homage to the late pope by placing two dozen white roses on the tomb of John Paul II.
*Read other information about the history of the world or read other interesting articles from Putri Ainur Islam.
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