Grumpy Pope

I think it was a bit of a knee jerk reaction on his part, but would anyone want to be yanked in such a way from a stranger. He is an elderly man, but yes a very face.

from by

He was startled, a hand is offered and he accepts or he extends a hand which is accepted, if he was grabbed every time he greeted crowds

He has apologised

I think the Pope looks angry, look at those eyes. Yes the woman did grab him and was wrong to do that but unbelievable of the Pope to slap her. He is supposed to be a man of God isn’t he ? And then to speak about abuse to women. I have no time for the Catholic Church, a load of hypocrites who have allowed the most awful abuse happen within their ranks over a very long period of time. Both priests and nuns have done unspeakable things over a long period of time and been allowed to continue because of closing ranks. They are also happy to ignore poverty around them whilst worshiping in gold encrusted churches. Why don’t practising Catholic’s see through it all ? Catholicism has such a lot to answer for, mostly bad.

I think the problem actually lies with these walkabouts where royalty, celebrities etc. feel they need to hug the public. All the touchy feely business just encourages people to lean out and tug on dignitaries.
The Pope should have left it to his security guard to intervene. I agree it looks very bad on his part, but then I don't think anyone is allowed to sack him for the offence.

Even more unbelievable, many parents smack their child’s hand and then speak out against child abuse

When I watched the video it appeared to me the Pope cried out in pain when she yanked his arm - no wonder he reacted.

Not saying he should have but I expect he reacted that way that way as he was startled and perhaps it caused him pain. After all he’s just an ordinary human being .

I agree with Ellianne about the walkabouts. The public seem to feel entitled to touch the person. No one should be grabbing anyone else's arm who ever they are.

Quote from Anniebach
"Even more unbelievable, many parents smack their child’s hand and then speak out against child abuse"

Do they? How many?

No-one would grab the Queen like that.

I think she yanked him, hurt him (a bit) and looking at the footage wouldn’t let go.

Calling out ‘Pope, Pope’? Shouldn’t it be ‘Your Eminence’? Not sure but it sounds disrespectful.

I’m not Catholic so I’m just wondering.

When it is so scarily common for people to attack public figures going about their normal lives, and even to kill them, it is not surprising that an elderly man should be taken aback at being suddenly grabbed, and attempt to defend himself against a possible assault. Maybe he has a touch of arthritis in that arm, and it hurt.

Wouldn't any of us do the same?

I agree Elegran??
Slightly hurt, startled and even afraid I would say.A younger man may have reacted differently.

To me, it looked as though he was in danger of overbalancing when she first grabbed him and then she wouldn’t let go. I can imagine he had bit of a fright at that, though where were his security in all this? It could have been an assassination attempt.

There was a serious assassination attempt not so long ago so hardly surprising that he didn’t appreciate having his arm yanked.

Looks rather staged given the way the woman was looking sideways for the camera.

Walkabouts seem to be expected now but this shows how quickly things can turn nasty.

I don't have much time for the Catholic church and the Pope means nothing to me if I'm honest, but it looked really bad that he slapped the woman. As I said, perhaps she hurt him, but he shouldn't have retaliated like that no matter what. He lives a regal life.

Hardly a good Christian example.

If I were a Catholic, I think I would be pleased to learn that this Pope is human.

It seemed to me that he was batting her away rather than slapping her. - defensive rather than aggressive.

Personally I think his security team should have handled it, as it could have become serious. The woman could have had a weapon.

MiniDriver56 Wed 01-Jan-20 17:46:37
Personally I think his security team should have handled it, as it could have become serious. The woman could have had a weapon.

I agree MiniDriver56. It probably should not have been allowed to happen.

He was startled and may have felt threatened. He reacted, he has apologised. The woman was in the wrong

My father-in-law is of a similar age and one of the kindest people you could meet, but I can easily imagine him reacting the same way under the circumstances. To be suddenly grabbed and then yanked in that fashion looked rather painful, but the woman looked as if she was determined not to let go. It was undoubtedly wrong of the pope to slap her hand away, but also perfectly understandable.

Agree with Elegran & Iam64. He was so unsteady when she pulled him and wouldn't let go and he looked like he would trip over. If I had been grabbed and pulled like that, I'd probably bat them away too. He's apologised. Wonder if she did?

I think this serves as a warning to anyone doing a walkabout that security can be compromised. The element of trust can easily be taken for granted. Being startled is one thing. Being attacked is far worse.

I felt uneasy watching the footage of Princess Charlotte hugging the woman in the wheelchair at Sandringham on Christmas Day. It was a charming scene and obviously made the woman's day but is there not a possibility that fans/supporters/loyal subjects - whatever you wish to call them will regard it as the thin end of the wedge and expect more of the same?

Wasn't it John Lennon who said, 'Remember fan is short for fanatic.'