Pope Francis met woman who grabbed him New Year's Eve
FREE Catholic Classes
Pope Francis in January met and shook hands with the woman at whom he lost his patience after being grabbed in St. Peter's Square Dec. 31.

Pope Francis greets a woman after the general audience
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
2/5/2020 (5 years ago)
Published in Europe
Keywords: POPE FRANCIS, VATICAN CITY, VATICAN
Vatican City, (CNA) - Pope Francis in January met and shook hands with the woman at whom he lost his patience after being grabbed in St. Peter's Square Dec. 31.
After his general audience Jan. 8, Pope Francis spoke briefly with the woman. In photos the two can be seen smiling at each other as they shake hands. A priest standing near the woman appears to be acting as interpreter.
The two met during what is called the "baciamano," a time reserved for certain pilgrims to greet the pope following an audience.
Francis had apologized during his Angelus address Jan. 1 for having lost his patience with the woman the night before.
"Many times we lose our patience; me too. I apologize for yesterday's bad example," he said.
While the pope was greeting the crowd in front of the Vatican nativity scene Dec. 31, a woman yanked his arm, holding onto his hand. Visibly upset, Pope Francis slapped her hand and walked away frustrated.
A video clip of the moment went viral on social media soon after and the incident has generated internet memes and remixes of the clip.
Before meeting the woman Jan. 8, Pope Francis spoke at his general audience about St. Paul and love of God, also noting that Christ can bring good out of any circumstance - even an apparent failure.
Greeting pilgrims before the same audience, the pope joked "don't bite" with a religious sister who reached out to greet him, saying he would give her a kiss on the cheek if she stayed calm.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

Nearly Half of American Children Now Struggle with Chronic Health Issues — Anxiety and Depression Lead the Surge

Vatican Approves Devotion to Marian Apparitions in Slovakia—Without Declaring Them Supernatural

Pope Leo XIV: AI Must Uphold Human Dignity and Build a More Fraternal World
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Friday, July 11, 2025
St. Benedict of Nursia: Saint of the Day for Friday, July 11, 2025
Infant Jesus of Prague Novena Prayer: Prayer of the Day for Friday, July 11, 2025
Daily Readings for Thursday, July 10, 2025
Bl. Emmanuel Ruiz: Saint of the Day for Thursday, July 10, 2025
- Prayer to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart: Prayer of the Day for Thursday, July 10, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.