Pope Francis apologizes for losing his temper with woman who yanked his arm

Pope Francis
(Image credit: Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images)

Pope Francis veered from prepared remarks during a New Year's Day homily Wednesday to apologize for an incident on New Year's Eve where he had slapped the hand of a woman who yanked his arm as he was greeting people on the way to the Vatican Nativity scene. "So many times we lose our patience. Me, too," the pope said. “And I apologize for yesterday's bad example."

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.