Pope Francis slaps woman's hand to free himself from her grip

Shortly before beginning his traditional New Year's Day address, Pope Francis said he was sorry for smacking a woman's hand the previous day, to free himself from her grip.

"I apologize for the poor example yesterday," he said, going off-script before the sermon on violence.

Pope Francis had been making his way to the Nativity scene in Vatican City on Tuesday, New Year's Eve. When he began to walk away from the crowd that had gathered to greet him, video shows a woman grabbing his hand and yanking him toward her.

He became visibly upset, slapping the woman's hand in an attempt to extricate himself. Footage of the altercation also appears to show him shouting at the woman.

Prior to the incident, the woman had made the sign of the cross. She addressed the 83-year-old Pope as she took his hand but it is unclear what she was trying to tell him.

[peabrained]

It's not just the slap that is noteworthy. The expression of his face bares it all. What an actor!

[Paxton]

It looks like she had been praying for help. I mean look at her she face, she is praying as she is looking at him. I feel sorry for her and I hope people of that faith pray for her. I think her need made her brave enough to grab his hand.

[missunderstood]

The Pope let his true colors shine for a second.

[danielpeterson]

I mean, you don't just reach out and grab someone and yank them, regardless of who it is.

[duataduati]

She is partly to blame but all in all it shows what a shallow man Pope is.I still don't see why people see him as a sort of mini is just an old man from Argentina😂😂😂😂😂

[HughesEnterprises]

People are upset about a Pope defending himself from a woman tugging on an 83 year olds arm. Really? This guy isn’t some supernatural Demi-God. He’s an old guy from Argentina that wears a funny hat and robes and got assaulted.

[TheCaptainKim]

He needs a good slap himself, always pretending to be a saint and now showing his true colours. Look at the aggression in his face!

[SherryJoCrandall]

I am not a catholic but come on people replying to these video. This happens all the time with celebrities. People taking advantage of a situation and thinking they are entitled to get away with it. These could actually be a crime depending on the laws in the area. People and I mean everyone needs to stop being spoiled and entitled.

[Raphsody]

So, def not part of his religion but I would've slapped her too lol. She pulled hard on his arm, not sure how old he is but that was extremely rude

[shannon_w.]

Yes maybe she shouldn't have pulled so hard but she was obviously needing her "leader" to pray for her. I couldn't understand what she was saying but it sounded like desperation he should have stopped and prayed with her. I mean really security was right there. Shame on him!

[SmokeyRoseWolf]

She touched his hand. In my religion that’s enough. But then she grabbed it and pulled. Notice the older lady next to her also hold his hand and let go. I would be pissed too wtf. And he pulled away like 5 times before he was mad. That’s just disrespectful to another person regardless of your needs. We all have to pray - you touched him -
People only saw him and thought it was enough.
No one has the right to treat another of Gods children like they owe you. No one owes you anything. He doesn’t have to give his hand.

[bonkerwonker]

She had a strong grip 💪🏻lol
i hear her saying “have a good night” at the end lol

[korashortss]

😆😆😆
I didn't know, god like people can also lost

[bhumphries]

The old lady is like, "oh yeah! I got that on video!" All in all, anyone would slap you if you pulled them that way! With some people, you'd get more than a mild slap!!!

[awantikagarg]

Footage clearly shows that even the pope is human. I thought these guys are like God but his expression and act makes him just a man next door.

[RubyRed]

Notice how he seems to be avoiding touching the adults, he only makes contact with the children.

[DieHumanless]

Add this to the expanding list of reasons we need a new pope.

[SERENAJANELOPEZ]

just strange. also his security should've saw her being weird before he even got to her. she's the only one not smiling. i'm not catholic but sheesh calm down lady!

[annbell]

It's a moment of self preservation, imho, that he did that. Unfortunately in our world, not just our country, some people want to show their solidarity for some non-popular group, or make a name for themselves no matter it be in a stupid way, or just because they don't tolerate anything but their own ideals. So it is sometimes for celebrities, and politicians, it is for popes. Pope Francis knows this and still will reach out to give handshakes and blessings, but when a person grabs him to turn him around and pull him towards them, that's a sign of danger, no matter male or female. It was probably an instant of thinking a knife would be going into him, or small gun shot at close range.
It was defensive, then anger showed, then maybe a bit of being scared, and I don't believe it was wrong to slap her hand to make her let go. And of course, he apologized the next day, not letting the whole situation be forgotten. If that had happened to me, and it probably won't seeing as I am not a public figure, I would have done the same thing. He is a very gentle man ordinarily and this shouldn't change people's opinion of him, because he showed his mortal side. I am not a Catholic, by the way, just someone who doesn't take one moment and change her opinion of a person. That's it, my sermon is over!

[ccv]

He was wrong for slapping her hand . She was wrong for pulling him.