This archive report was first published on 2 January 2020.
On New Year's Eve, Pope Francis was caught on camera slapping a woman who had grabbed his hand as he greeted Catholic faithful at the Vatican.
Francis, 83, later apologized for his actions, saying, "We lose patience many times. It happens to me too. I apologize for the bad example given yesterday."
He made the apology before celebrating Mass at the Vatican, where he also denounced "all violence against women" as a "profanation of God, born of a woman."
Francis emphasized that women are the source of life, but lamented that they are often offended, beaten, abused, and forced into prostitution. He also bemoaned that women's bodies are sacrificed on the altars of advertising, profit, and pornography.
Despite the backlash, many Twitter users defended the Pope's actions, saying that he is human and should not be immune to pain or reaction to pain.
Francis's apology and denouncement of violence against women come as he begins a new year and a new decade.
