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The head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State Pope Francis has apologized after slapping a woman’s hand who abruptly grabbed his hand as he greeted pilgrims at the Vatican on New Year’s Eve.

Pope Francis apologized on Wednesday for slapping a woman who had grabbed him as he greeted a crowd of devotees, shortly before he delivered a speech denouncing “every form of violence against women.”

During his Angelus address to a packed St Peter’s Square on New Year’s Day, the Pope said “We often lose patience. So do I.” The 83-year-old Pope Francis stated “It happens to me too. “I apologize for the poor example yesterday.”

The pope was visiting the nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square during New year Eve when the incident happened, Prior to the incident, the woman who’s identity is still unknown had made the sign of the cross which is a ritual blessing made by members of some branches of Christianity, She tried to say something to the Pope as she took his hand but it is unclear what she was trying to tell him.

Video of the incident went viral on the internet and Pope is trending on Twitter worldwide.

This evening after visiting the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis loses his cool after being grabbed by a pilgrim who wouldn't let go of his hand. The Pope repeated slapped her hand and told her to let go of him. pic.twitter.com/6Qrgh8aZKz

— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) December 31, 2019