French Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, injured during the Christmas Mass, has undergone surgery in the Gemelli hospital in Rome and is in good condition, hospital officials said Sunday.
On Thursday, Pope Benedict XVI was knocked down while walking to the altar of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican to begin the traditional Christmas Eve service.
Etchegaray, 87, broke his hip as he tried to stop the woman who attacked the pope.
Cardinal Etchegaray was a friend of late Russian Patriarch Alexy II, who died in December 2008.
Benedict, 82, was not hurt in the incident and continued the procession to the altar at St. Peter's Basilica. On Friday, he delivered traditional Christmas greetings and urged people worldwide to abandon violence and coexist peacefully.
His attacker, 25-year-old Susanna Maiolo, was reported as having mental problems. The Holy See said the woman just wanted to hug Benedict.
Benedict XVI on Sunday had lunch with the poor and homeless at a soup kitchen in downtown Rome in what was his first appearance outside of the Vatican since Thursday.
Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and some Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas on December 25.
VATICAN, December 27 (RIA Novosti)
