Pope Francis has apologized for losing his patience when he slapped a woman’s hand on New Year’s Eve.
The pontiff was visibly angered when the woman grabbed him as he greeted pilgrims in Saint Peter’s Square in a video widely shared on social media. The incident occurred shortly before he gave a speech denouncing violence against women.
In the video the pope can be seen greeting children before the woman grabbed his hand, causing him to stumble.
“We lose patience many times,” Francis said, according to AFP.
“It happens to me too. I apologize for the bad example given yesterday,” he said before celebrating mass at the Vatican.