On Wednesday, Pope Francis kick-started the new year with an apology for slapping the hand of a woman who grabbed his arm in St. Peter’s Square the night before.
“Love makes us patient,” Pope Francis told faithful gathered to celebrate the feast of the Solemnity of Mary and the 53rd World Day of Peace.
“We often lose our patience,” he said. “Me, too, and I apologize for the bad example I set yesterday.”
While walking amid the crowds near the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square on Tuesday night, Francis reached his hands to greet faithful and children.