The Vatican is to review its safety procedures after a woman managed to break through security guards and push the Pope to the ground on Christmas Eve.

Pope Benedict, 82, was not hurt when 25-year-old Susanna Maiolo knocked him to the floor after jumping the barrier at St Peter's Basilica on Christmas Eve.

He continued with the evening mass and went on to deliver his traditional Christmas Day greetings in 65 languages to the crowds gathered in St Peter's Square.

The Vatican said Italian-Swiss national Maiolo was “unbalanced”. She was arrested and taken to hospital for psychological treatment.

It is the second time Ms Maiolo has rushed at the Pope in the last 12 months.

A senior Vatican source at the service was quoted by The Telegraph as saying: "The fact this woman is known and was still able to get through security is very, very serious.

"All the people who were inside St Peter’s had invitations and so would have had to be checked and give their names. This woman was able to get through these checks as well as the airport style metal detectors.

"The Pope’s guards were able to drag her away but the sense of shock in the Basilica was amazing - there was a huge gasp, no-one could believe what was happening.

"We are talking about a frail 82 year old man being knocked to the ground - it could be anyone’s grandfather and if this lady was known and did this last year then this is a major security breach.”