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Woman who bared breasts in Vatican square is freed

FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014 file photo, a gendarme from the Vatican's security forces stops a Ukrainian feminist group Femen activist after she snatched the statue of Baby Jesus from the Nativity scene set in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The Vatican says it has arrested the Femen activist who on Christmas Day bared her chest and snatched the statue of Baby Jesus in the life-size Nativity scene in the center of St. Peter's Square. Vatican spokesman the Rev. Lombardi said Friday that Ukrainian activist Yana Zhdanova was being held for questioning, and noted that the incident aimed to "intentionally offend the religious feelings" of numerous people. Possible charges include carrying out obscene acts in public, insults and theft. (AP Photo, File) FILE - In this Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014 file photo, a gendarme from the Vatican's security forces stops a Ukrainian feminist group Femen activist after she snatched the statue of Baby Jesus from the Nativity scene set in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. The Vatican says it has arrested the Femen activist who on Christmas Day bared her chest and snatched the statue of Baby Jesus in the life-size Nativity scene in the center of St. Peter's Square. Vatican spokesman the Rev. Lombardi said Friday that Ukrainian activist Yana Zhdanova was being held for questioning, and noted that the incident aimed to "intentionally offend the religious feelings" of numerous people. Possible charges include carrying out obscene acts in public, insults and theft. (AP Photo, File)

By Associated Press December 27, 2014 1 min read

VATICAN CITY (AP) – The Holy See has released a Ukrainian activist who bared her breasts in St. Peter’s Square on Christmas Day and snatched the statue of Baby Jesus from the Vatican’s outdoor Nativity scene.

Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said the Holy See prosecutor, met with Yana Zhdanova on Saturday and decided to order her freed. She was also ordered to never set foot again in Vatican City State, including St. Peter’s Basilica, or on other Vatican property outside the tiny city-state’s walls.

The Femen protester shouted “God is woman” when she uncovered her chest in the square on Thursday, about an hour after Pope Francis had greeted and blessed tens of thousands of faithful. A Vatican guard then covered her chest with his cloak and took her into Vatican custody.