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)
The Associated Press
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 year's wishes to the public in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, Francis confessed to losing his patience with the woman while he was strolling in the square Tuesday night to admire the Vatican's Nativity scene.
Cameras captured the scene when the woman, from behind a barrier, reached out and grabbed the pope's 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 'œso many times we lose patience. Me, too." He then added 'œI say '~excuse me' for the bad example" he gave in the incident Tuesday.
Pope Francis recites the Angelus prayer from his studio's window overlooking St. Peter's square at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
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)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis arrives to preside 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)
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Pope Francis stops by the Nativity exposed in St. Peter's square after presiding over vespers of the Feast of St. Mary and Te Deum of Thanksgiving at year's end, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
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)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis prepares to preside 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)
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Pope Francis presides over vespers of the Feast of St. Mary and Te Deum of Thanksgiving at year's end, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis presides over vespers of the Feast of St. Mary and Te Deum of Thanksgiving at year's end, in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)
The Associated Press
Nuns watch Pope Francis as he delivers his blessing during the Angelus noon prayer he recited from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square, at the Vatican, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
The Associated Press