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Pope forgives Christmas trespasser who knocked him down

VATICAN CITY-- Pope Benedict XVI met privately on Wednesday with the woman who dragged him to the ground on Christmas Eve, the Vatican said.

Susanna Maiolo, a 25-year-old with a history of psychiatric problems, and her family met in a private audience with the pope at the end of his general audience, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said.

The pope offered forgiveness to Susanna Maiolo, 25, who jumped a barrier and dragged down the 82-year-old pontiff last month.

Maiolo told the pope she was sorry about what had happened, according to a statement from the Vatican.

She was detained by Vatican police and then taken to a mental institution, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said at the time.

The pope was quickly helped to his feet by his aides -- prompting cheers from the crowd -- and the service resumed, Lombardi said.

Maiolo had tried to reach the pope in the same way during the 2008 Midnight Mass service but didn't manage to get to him. She has been treated at a clinic outside Rome since the incident.

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