The Vatican said the pontiff had “a brief private meeting” with Susanna Maiolo where she “apologised for what happened”.
A statement said: “For his part, the Pope wanted to show her his forgiveness.”
Maiolo, a 25-year-old Swiss-Italian, stunned pilgrims on Christmas Eve when she leaped over a security barricade and dragged the 82-year-old pontiff to the floor. The Pope was unhurt in the attack.
Full story: Pope Forgives Christmas Eve Attacker – mix96.co.uk