Pope Francis apologized for slapping a woman on the hand in St. Peter’s Square on New Year's Eve. The Pope was greeting a group of worshippers after viewing the Vatican's nativity scene when a woman grabbed his arm and tugged him towards her.
The Pope seemed upset with the woman and yelled at her while slapping her hand away. She released the Pope as his security guards stepped in to intervene. The Pontiff appeared angry as he walked away from the crowd.
It is unclear what the Pope said to the woman before he left.
The next day, Pope Francis addressed the incident while delivering his new year’s wishes to people gathered in St. Peter’s Square.
“Many times, we lose our patience,”he said. “I do, too, and I’m sorry for yesterday’s bad example.”