Pope Francis had a strange series of exchanges Tuesday night at the Vatican City while greeting pilgrims who had come to watch him pray, and shake his hand, in front of the Nativity Scene, an iconic setting of the Mother and Father of baby Jesus, laid in a manger and surrounded by animals.
The Pope tweeted after the event, “First Vespers and Te Deum in thanksgiving for the past year” and made no mention of the confusing and shocking set of interactions with his followers at the rope line which had unfolded earlier.
Let us give thanks to God for His grace, which has sustained us in this past year, and with joy let us raise a song of praise to Him. https://t.co/8nPzsaSkIn
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 31, 2019
He had tweeted an uplifting message early in the morning, “It is beautiful to stand before the nativity scene, and there to entrust our lives to the Lord, to speak to Him about the people and situations we care about, to take stock with Him of the year that is ending, to share our expectations and concerns.”
It is beautiful to stand before the nativity scene, and there to entrust our lives to the Lord, to speak to Him about the people and situations we care about, to take stock with Him of the year that is ending, to share our expectations and concerns. #Nativityscene
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 31, 2019
However, he was not prepared for the woman at the line who reached out to him, and seemed to be pleading with him, while she grasped for and held his hand, even while being repeatedly shoved away by the Pope.
Shown here, the Pope is angry and frustrated after first greeting a fallen child, and shaking hands with people, and then growing increasingly angry at another woman and striking her for reaching out and taking his forearm and hand.
Pope Francis at his very best, when he has spent his very best. https://t.co/pBB1yLVRyS
— Srečni Luka (@SrecniLuka) December 31, 2019
In a longer video, some were curious as to why the Pope seems jovial, concerned and empathetic with some people and then upset at the dark-haired woman.
It is noteworthy that the Pope’s security detail do not seem alarmed for his safety. They continue to stand calmly and watch the interaction until the end of the video, when after the Pope has pulled away, one man grasps the woman’s hands and holds her hands down.
This evening after visiting the Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis loses his cool after being grabbed by a pilgrim who wouldn't let go of his hand. The Pope repeated slapped her hand and told her to let go of him. pic.twitter.com/6Qrgh8aZKz
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) December 31, 2019
Some translators on social media reported that the Pope was demanding the woman let go of him, in a very intolerant fashion.
Monday, the Pope seemed in good spirits and encouraged loving exchanges. “In its genuine simplicity, the nativity scene reminds us it is not the quantity of things that counts in life, but the quality of relationships,” he posted.
In its genuine simplicity, the nativity scene reminds us it is not the quantity of things that counts in life, but the quality of relationships. Drawing our gaze to God, who is poor in possessions and rich in love, it recalls us to what is essential. #Nativityscene
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) December 30, 2019
