Pope Tackled at Xmas Eve Mass

The string of bad luck encountered by world leaders in Italy continued this evening as Pope Benedict XVI was knocked down by a woman jumping the crowd barriers in St. Peter's, while he walked down the aisle to say Christmas Eve Mass. The pontiff arose quickly and was unhurt, according to the Vatican; the woman, who was dressed in a red sweater, is said to be mentally unstable. This was the second year in a row that such an event has occurred: At the end of the Mass last year, a woman jumped the barriers and came near the pope before being blocked by security.