Pope Francis Apologizes After Slapping Devotee

Pope Francis

Pope Francis apologized on Wednesday for his widely-viewed slap of a woman who had grabbed his hand on New Year’s Eve as he greeted catholic faithful.

The image of the Pope Francis slapping his way free from the clutches of his admirer was an instant hit on social media.

Pope Francis took time to apologize before his first mass of the year at the Vatican.

“We loose patience many times. It happens to me too. I apologize for the bad example given yesterday.”

Pope Francis had greeted children at the Saint Peter’s square and was turning away when the woman who had crossed herself then cried out something, pulled out his hand and almost caused him to fall.

Twitter users were mostly supportive of the pontiff’s instinctive reaction

“HE IS HUMAN.. Been (sic) a Pope doesn’t make you immune to pain or avoid Reaction to pain.”  one typical comment read.