Pope celebrates Mass amid new security
Pope Benedict XVI kissed babies and shook the outstretched hands of faithful in St. Peter's Basilica as he walked up an aisle widened for security following the Christmas Eve scare when a woman scrambled over a barrier and knocked him down, the Associated Press reports.
Benedict celebrated Mass to mark Epiphany, the Jan. 6 holy day commonly referred to as the feast of the Three Kings, or Magi, during the last main public ceremony of the Vatican's holiday season.
As the pope, wearing gold colored vestments, a long, lacy cassock and red shoes, made his way to the main altar, he strode up the central aisle, widened by about 1.5 meters (5 feet) as part of heightened security precautions that were put in place after a young woman climbed over a barrier during his entrance procession on the night of Dec. 24, when the basilica was packed with thousands of people for Christmas Eve Mass.
The woman, who has a history of psychological problems, grabbed the pope's vestments, pulling him down to the marble floor. The 82-year-old pope was shaken but unhurt. An elderly French cardinal who fell during the commotion broke his hip. The Italian-Swiss woman is being treated at a psychiatric clinic near Rome while the Vatican investigates.
The extra space in the aisle was achieved by pushing back the red-curtained barriers at the ends of the rows where the faithful sit by about 30 inches (75 centimeters) on either side. The measure gives pope's security detail more space to maneuver.
But while the measure widens the gap between the pontiff and the public, Benedict seemed determined to give his flock the message that he intends to keep in contact with them.
Arriving and leaving the basilica, he moved to the left and right of the aisle to shake some of the many outstretched hands. At one point he patted a baby on the head, then kissed the infant and the hand of the woman holding the child.
Benedict smiled broadly as he moved his hand in blessing or waved to the faithful, who pass through metal detectors before attending public ceremonies at the Vatican.
During the Mass, a long line of faithful came up to the pope and kneeled before him to receive the Communion wafer. They could only approach the central altar after security personnel let them pass.
Comments
I dont blame the pope for being more careful. However, I have a better idea. Get rid of the statues and glitter. Wear nice civilian clothes. Get a black preacher and band to come in. Have the pope join them in the mass. Everyone gets up and starts shaking their rear ends and dancing while praising God. The pope is shouting out "alleluia brother" and while preaching says, "can I get a witness?" Someone from the congregation shouts out, "Yes. Praise God." People are singing and clapping. I mean with this kind of service who would even want to jump a barrier to begin with, unless they are full of the Holy Spirit and it is part of their dancing. You wouldnt even need a barrier. The worst barriers are the ones this church uses to conduct a typical service to begin with. Thanks.
Posted by: Clay | January 7, 2010 10:44 AM
Clay - You're still too hung up on the statues. You also put far too much emphasis on show. Did Christ say the best way to pray was in secret? It is possible to have a spiritually uplifting service in many different ways. Since the woman in question was disturbed I'm not really sure your solution even applies here.
Posted by: ravensfan | January 8, 2010 11:50 AM
Ok. How do you say "can I get a witness" in Latin?
Posted by: Clay | January 8, 2010 6:28 PM
Clay - Can't help you with that one my friend. I don't know much latin.
Posted by: ravensfan | January 11, 2010 1:22 PM