It also takes a crazy kind of strength to forgive one's attackers. Although the charism of infallibility doesn't extend to the Pope's personal sanctity, we have been blessed to have great exemplars of the faith in both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
John Paul II forgave his attacker, Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who shot him during an assassination attempt. Now, in a lesser event, Pope Benedict has shown his "benevolence" towards a mentally disturbed woman, Susanna Maiolo, who knocked him down during Christmas Mass at St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve (her 2nd attempt!)
Our Lord taught us to pray "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". If that's crazy like a Christian, then the world needs more of it.[Guardian] The pope's personal aide has visited the woman who jumped over a barrier and knocked the pontiff down in St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve, a Vatican spokesman said.
Benedict XVI asked his secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, to call on 25-year-old Susanna Maiolo "to show his interest and benevolence", the Reverend Federico Lombardi said.
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