In 2009 A woman jumped the barriers in St. Peter's Basilica and knocked down Pope Benedict XVI as he walked down the main aisle to begin Christmas Eve Mass on Thursday. 2 Americans, Marybeth Burns and Steve Burns, captured that moment on their cameras. thumb|600px|left A Vatican spokesman says a woman jumped the barriers in St. Peter's Basilica and knocked down Pope Benedict XVI as he walked down the main aisle to begin Christmas Eve Mass. The Rev. Ciro Benedettini said the pope quickly got up and was unhurt. (Dec. 24)