As I am sure you are aware, on Christmas Eve at the beginning of Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s, Susanna Maiolo jumped the barricades separating the faithful from the Holy Father, grabbed his vestments and took him to the floor amid a rush of security personnel and onlookers. The pope was unhurt and continued with the Mass.
Ms. Maiolo had attempted to do the same thing last year, but was prevented from doing so. Somehow she got through security this year despite her past attempt. It is reported she has a history of unspecified mental illness and was involuntarily confined to a psychiatric hospital for treatment following the assault on the pope. She has been released in recent days and this morning it is being reported by the Italian news agencies that the pope has met with her privately following his general audience. She expressed her sorrow and the pope forgave her.
If only all of us, especially those of us who have been victims of crimes, could approach injustices done in the way both Susanna and the pope have done: asking forgiveness and being willing to forgive.
God bless both of them!
