Today a man leapt over the barricade at Pope Benedict XVI.
On his way to his weekly papal address, Pope Benedict XVI was riding in what has become known as the pope mobile, in a circle through the thousands that had gathered. Amid the cheering one man, whose intentions are unknown at this time, leapt over the barricade and attempted to jump into the pope mobile with Pope Benedict XVI.
Although security officers subdued the man rather quickly, it was reminicent of that fateful day when another man breached security and shot Pope John Paul II, also in the pope mobile.
It appeared from footage shown that Pope Benedict XVI may not have been aware of the breach. It must be pretty noisy in the midst of such a crowd.
It also calls into question whether a Pope's wishes should be ignored in light of increasing security concerns.
It's an interesting dichotomy that most Popes like to be close to the people who have come to see him in an audience, but that he may be removed from situations like that due to concerns for his safety.
How will a Pope be a voice for the people if it becomes too dangerous for the Pope to visit the people?
