Pope Benedict XVI is feeling well after being knocked down at St. Peter's Basilica during the Christmas Eve service, the head of the Vatican Press Office said on Friday.

Federico Lombardi assured reporters that the 82-year old Pontiff has no health problems after the incident and will deliver his traditional Christmas blessing speech Urbi et Orbi ("to the City [of Rome] and to the World").

"The Pontiff will make the blessing as usual and there are no reasons to think any changes of the program may take place," the Vatican spokesman said.

A woman wearing a red blouse assaulted Pope Benedict as he led the traditional Christmas Eve procession to the altar.

She managed to grab the Pontiff's gold and white vestments near his neck, sending him toppling to the floor. He got to his feet and continued the mass but looked a little upset and tired during the service.

Lombardi said the attacker, Susanna Maiolo from Switzerland, was "apparently unbalanced." He also said that the Pontiff showed "great self-control" during the attack.

French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, 87, broke his hip as he tried to stop the woman and was taken to Gemelli Hospital in Rome.

VATICAN, December 25 (RIA Novosti)