Pope Francis apologises for slapping woman’s hand on New Year’s eve

Pope Francis has apologised for a slapping a woman’s hand on New Year’s eve.

In a video that was widely shared, the Pontiff was seen greeting a crowd in Vatican City when a woman suddenly grabbed his hand and pulled him towards her.

The visibly upset Pope tried to set himself free and slapped the woman’s hand, something that did not go down well with netizens.

On Wednesday, he apologized for the incident saying he lost patience.

"Love makes us patient. So many times we lose patience, even me, and I apologize for yesterday's bad example," he said.

In March 2019, a video of the Pontiff withdrawing his hand from people who attempted to kiss his ring at Loreto, Italy, caused a stir online as some accused him of moving away from the Catholic tradition.

Later, Vatican spokesperson Alessandro Gisotti explained that it was a question of hygiene and the Pope did not want to spread germs.

In his New Year’s address, the Pontiff condemned all forms of violence inflicted on women saying they are sources of life.

"Women are sources of life. Yet they are continually insulted, beaten, raped, forced to prostitute themselves and to suppress the life they bear in the womb.

"Every form of violence inflicted upon a woman is a blasphemy against God, who was born of a woman,” he said.