Pope Delivers Christmas Message despite Assault

The 82-year-old Pope did not mention the assault during his Christmas message, but according to some media reports he looked strained and tired. Photo by BGNES

Pope Benedict delivered his traditional Christmas message at the Vatican, despite the Christmas Eve incident when a woman attacked him and knocked him down.

The Pope voiced a firm support for people forced to leave their countries over hunger, intolerance or environmental disasters and appealed to all to accept and support immigrants.

Benedict XVI also spoke about the economic crisis, adding that society is suffering from a far more serious crisis – the moral one.

He said the Church was a "source of unity" for many people across the world and called for those in conflict zones to show respect for one another.

In the meantime, the Vatican announced the woman who attacked the Pope had been taken to hospital.

Vatican officials earlier said she appeared to be mentally unstable, and had attempted to get to the Pope at the same event last year.

The 82-year-old Pope did not mention the assault during his Christmas message, but according to some media reports he looked strained and tired.

At the end of the message he wished pilgrims a happy Christmas in 65 languages triggering loud cheers from the crowd.

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