The Pope is celebrating the traditional Christmas Eve Mass, despite being knocked down by a woman at the start of the service in St Peter's Basilica.
The woman - who is believed to be mentally unstable - jumped the security barriers as the Pope entered the basilica, causing the pontiff to fall.
The Pope appeared to be unhurt and recovered to lead the mass.
The midnight service started two hours early because officials do not want the 82-year-old pontiff to get tired.
The Vatican spokesman said the decision to move the midnight Mass to 2200 (2100 GMT) was "to make Christmas a little less tiring for the Pope, who has many engagements".
Pope Benedict XVI earlier appeared briefly at nightfall at the window of his studio to light a candle in a sign of peace. - BBC
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