Vatican City, Jan 8, 2010 / 11:15 am
Security official Salvatore Festa, who coordinates activity between the Italian police who serve at the Vatican and Holy See officials, guaranteed Pope Benedict's security, as new measures have been taken following the Christmas Eve incident in which the Pope was pulled to the ground by a disturbed woman.
In an interview with L’Osservatore Romano, Festa recalled that during the Christmas Eve Mass, measures were immediately taken to protect the Pontiff when the young Swiss woman, Susana Maiolo lunged at the Holy Father.
Festa noted that Vatican official Domenico Giani reacted immediately to the situation.
Speaking later about the special training provided to those who protect the Holy Father, Festa explained that the first thing the security guards are taught “has to do with guaranteeing the Pope's security without keeping him from fulfilling his mission to the people.”