Pope: Sorry I lost patience with hand-shaker who yanked me
Source: AP
VATICAN CITY (AP) Pope Francis has apologized for hitting the hand of a well-wisher who grabbed him and yanked him toward her.
In his new years wishes to the public in St. Peters Square on Wednesday, Francis confessed to losing his patience with the woman while he was strolling in the square Tuesday night to admire the Vaticans Nativity scene.
Cameras captured the scene when the woman, from behind a barrier, reached out and grabbed the popes 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.
Pope Francis 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)
Read more: https://apnews.com/c1e633b06057d665bb17ac49b69421f5
LakeArenal
(28,863 posts)Of course the Pope would forgive her.
That is his job.
Usually we would know who she is by now. Does anyone?
stopdiggin
(11,391 posts)which just serves to illustrate the inherent danger in such situations. Just stop!
He's 83, and yanking any 83 year old's arm like that must be very painful.
I wouldn't be surprised to see his arm in a sling for a few days.
dalton99a
(81,649 posts)Video of that receiving line also circulated widely, and it became material for jokes on late-night talk shows. It was also a source of consternation for conservatives, many of whom dislike Francis and called the video disturbing evidence of the popes breaking with tradition and ritual.
The Vatican said at the time that the popes motivation for yanking his hand back was itself viral. It was a simple question of hygiene, said Alessandro Gisotti, who was then the Vaticans chief spokesman.
On the papal plane later that month, a reporter jokingly withdrew his hand as Francis sought to shake it, prompting a good-humored explanation from Francis that he had simply been looking out for peoples health.
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/01/world/europe/pope-francis-slap-video.html
keithbvadu2
(36,975 posts)Enough to piss off the Pope
Cartoonist
(7,323 posts)IronLionZion
(45,579 posts)No matter how excited they are to see him.
Grabbing someone is a very Trumpian move
stopdiggin
(11,391 posts)although he is gracious enough to offer one, even when not in the wrong.
Crowds, and people in the crowds, can be dangerous. Squirrels and nut-jobs abound in today's world, and this totally meaningless custom of "pressing the flesh" should be abandoned. This fetish about "touching" a complete stranger would be recognized as delusional and totally inappropriate in other social settings.
Hulk
(6,699 posts)You want to touch me...shake my hand....fine. Grab me and pull me toward you.....NOT!
Shoonra
(523 posts)President McKinley was shot by an assassin who had a grip on his hand.
Since then the Secret Service has been alert to problem handshakers; most of them simply are so in awe that they forget to let go - but there's always the troublemaker that thinks he can make the Prez his captive audience for even a minute.
I have no criticism of the Pope, and plenty of criticism of the woman who grabbed and yanked him.
Kid Berwyn
(15,006 posts)A person in the crowd tossed something at him in 2018. I can understand his reaction upon being grabbed.
orangecrush
(19,652 posts)Yanking like that could be the first move in an attempt on your life, if you're a high profile public figure.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)nt
generalbetrayus
(508 posts)I'd love to see his reaction to the patented Trump handshake arm pull.
Marcuse
(7,534 posts)Hassin Bin Sober
(26,348 posts)babydollhead
(2,231 posts)brooklynite
(94,808 posts)Skittles
(153,230 posts)I think it would be jarring to be grabbed by someone who won't let go.