Pope Francis Apologizes For Slapping Woman's Hand on New Year's Eve

Pope Francis is pinning much of his hopes for a more peaceful world in the new year on women, saying violence against them is akin to profaning God and calling for them to be increasingly involved in making major decisions.

In his homily Wednesday in St. Peter's Basilica, Francis decried the “many times women's bodies are sacrificed on the profane altar of advertisements, of profit, of pornography.” He also lamented that women are ”continually offended, beaten, raped, forced into prostitution" or forced to have abortions. The Catholic church forbids abortion.

Francis didn't mention if under his watch things might change in how women are treated in the Catholic church. According to Vatican teaching, women can't become priests. And the top job — the papacy — has been strictly for males.

He contended that if we want a better world in the new year, we should treat women with dignity.

Francis urged that women become ”fully associated" with decision-making in order to make the world more united and at peace.

“And if we want a better world, that is a house of peace and not a courtyard of war, may the dignity of every woman be at the heart of it,'' Francis said. “Women are givers and mediators of peace, and should be fully associated with decision-making processes.”

He added: “For when women can transmit their gifts, the world finds itself more united and more in peace. So, a conquest for women is a conquest for the whole of humanity.”

Francis didn't comment on how the Catholic church treats women. As well as women not being allowed to be priests, some conservative elements of the Catholic church are scandalized by parishes that allow girls to be altar servers. And, as The Associated Press has reported, there have been instances of priests — who are supposed to be celibate — impregnating women, and then not recognizing the child as their offspring.

Reflecting on the state of affairs of the church, Francis cautioned against divisions, blaming the devil for those who emphasize differences, ideologies and factions.

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[alejandragonzalez]

The bible says, "YOU SHOULD WORSHIP THE LORD OUR GOD ONLY & SERVE HIM ONLY"
Luke 4:8


This man is only human like us, , , he is NOT

[rodgersb]

It would make more sense if we all stopped worshipping other humans as well as inanimate objects.

[adamc]

You shouldn’t apologize for having enough respect for yourself to not let someone pull you around. I wouldn’t have apologized. There was nothing to apologize for. I would do that 100 times over again. She lucky she only got a light slap to the hand. If a man pulled him like that people would be fine with him punching the guy. A women does it and ur suppose to do nothing? What happened to the media wanted equal rights for men and women. Double standard.

[jodimaki]

We have to all remember that the Pope is an elderly man serving the public. I don’t care what country you are in or what culture you come from, it is never ok to yank on an elderly persons arm. She could have caused him to fall or injured him in some way. He felt the need to defend himself as a human being against her unacceptable behavior. Shame on her!

[dodobono]

He shouldn't apologize if she would of done that to me I would smack her hand to.

[SKY-jvue]

The REAL Jesus NEVER slapped anyone when the crowds pressed upon him! He healed them instead! The pope does NOT represent the Real Christ!

[blancacamberos]

Couldn’t he just say can you not do that please

[goodieworld]

I bet if it was a young boy he would of smacked his butt instead of hand🤦‍♂️

[solarasolarwind]

Chancellor Palpatine showing his true colors!

[JoGaPeach]

I don't think she meant any harm, she probably was just excited to meet the Pope, but he had no cause to slap her. Glad to hear he apologized.

[jkhtravelrn]

I really don’t blame him. That crazy aggressive lady should not just grab at him! She pulled on him and could’ve caused him to fall! Plus she has one of the most annoying voices I’ve ever heard. Like “Nails on a chalkboard”!
The Pope is human. I admire his apology, but I think she owes him an apology as well. What was she screaming about anyways?

[ricoroman]

The Pope is a takes a real man to realize when he is wrong and a better man to ask for forgiveness....

[marionwilson]

The pope did not have to apologize for slapping her hand. She grabbed him. He exercised humility. And was being kind to apologize. God Bless. People have to think and exercise control too.

[naomariley-hall]

She was hurting him... I know she wanted a blessing, but don’t rough to get it.. even the women who was sick 🤕.. who came to see Jesus ..just touched his robe 👘.. and believe in his healing.

[themartian]

I like the fact that he is reading of a script...

[milk]

Perhaps she could have written a fucking letter.

[saracarnicom]

All the comments bashing him are kinda blowing my mind right now. He IS a man with human patience. She was annoying as balls and SO RUDE. You don't pull someone like that, good, get hand slapped.

[edgamueta]

Matthew 15: 14 Let them be. Blind guides is what they are. If, then, a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”

[jerrytimoteo]

We have different cultures the pope and the woman too.

[sean]

Ummm she was wrong but his reaction????