Pope Francis apologizes for losing patience with hand-shaker

Pope Francis recites the Angelus prayer from his studio's window overlooking St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis wipe his eyes as he presides over a Mass for the solemnity of St. Mary at the beginning of the new year, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Francis kisses a statue of Baby Jesus as he presides over a Mass for the solemnity of St. Mary at the beginning of the new year, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

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The Associated Press

January 1, 2020 - 7:35 pm

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has apologized for hitting the hand of a well-wisher who grabbed him and yanked him toward her.

In his new year’s wishes to the public in St. Peter’s Square on Wednesday, Francis confessed to losing his patience with the woman while he was strolling in the square Tuesday night to admire the Vatican’s Nativity scene.

Pope Francis smacks woman's hand to free himself from her grip https://t.co/8nNYWBtJay pic.twitter.com/swzMEvAzXH

— CNN (@CNN) January 1, 2020

Cameras captured the scene when the woman, from behind a barrier, reached out and grabbed the pope’s hand, pulling him violently toward her. Francis reacted sharply, exclaimed something and then slapped her hand so she would let him go. Frowning in anger, he turned and strode away.

In his impromptu remarks Wednesday, Francis said “so many times we lose patience. Me, too.” He then added “I say ‘excuse me’ for the bad example” he gave in the incident Tuesday.

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