The Pope’s most recent incident where he slapped a woman’s hand on New Year’s Eve has inspired swathes of responses across Twitter, from people finding the confrontation everything from hilarious to unavoidably offensive.
The episode occurred on New Years Eve.
If you were anywhere near the internet or a TV over the holiday period, then chances are you caught a glimpse of the wildly uncomfortable video which showed Pope Francis slapping a woman on the hand.
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The Pope was on his way to see the Nativity scene at the center of Vatican City.
After greeting a series of children and other people gathered to see the Holy Father, Pope Francis has his hand grabbed by a woman in the crowd who can be seen crossing herself and reaching out for him.
As she grabs his hand, the Pope yells and slaps at her hand furiously.
While his security detail looks on and do seemingly nothing to help the situation, after being slapped on the hand, the woman lets go of the Pope’s hand, all while looking a little forlorn.
It is uncertain what she was trying to say to him at this time.
As he walks away, the Pope looks decidedly less than happy.
However, while the Pope looks nothing but furiously irritated by the confrontation, the internet has had a wide variety of responses as the video quickly went viral.
The Pope did issue an apology on New Years Day.
The Pope used his New Year’s Day address to discuss and condemn violence against women. In his speech he said, “Love makes us patient. So many times we lose patience, even me, and I apologize for yesterday’s bad example”.
Pope Francis also said, “Every form of violence inflicted upon a woman is a blasphemy against God, who was born of a woman.”
However, Twitter was not quite so forgiving.
There were many people across the internet and the media who condemned the Pope for his aggressive actions.
The video even began calls from some for him to resign.
Many were disheartened by the Pope’s brusk attitude with the woman who may well have been desperately suffering, with another tweet reading, “I think what the Pope did was horrible, he should resign.”
Although, a few devoted followers stood by the Pope.
A considerable amount of the people defending the 83-year-old Pope suggested that the woman was being incredibly rude, especially considering the Pope’s advanced age.
A large portion of Twitter couldn’t help but let themselves be amused by the whole affair.
As the video began to trend across Twitter, the responses to the video began to get a little more varied. With some using the video as an opportunity for tongue in cheek comments of varying severity and savagery.
Some people pointed out how Jesus-like the Pope’s actions were.
It certainly doesn’t send out Jesus vibes really does it, slapping someone. Also, “Jesus vibes” is not a phrase that I ever want to hear, read, say, or write ever again for the rest of my life.
Similarly, some drew attention to Luke 8:43-48.
Jesus blessed a woman who had touched his cloak; however, Pope Francis had clearly just had his cloak dry-cleaned.
Some people went real Sci-Fi on the whole situation!
It’s like the beginning of the most biblical plague movie of all time.
Inevitably, there were those who had to make it sexual.
Is there really nothing that people can’t make sexual these days? Pah, who am I kidding, of course not!
Before long, the video had been spliced together with popular memes.
One of the most popular and long-lasting memes on the internet even managed to have its crack at the situation.
A sizeable amount of people used the video to fire a few different shots at the church.
Due to the scrutiny that Pope Francis specifically has received for his handling (or lack of) of the countless prominent Church official’s sex abuse scandals, it is no surprise that such a joke would be made.
Certain pop culture references were also attached to the Pope’s actions.
This specific extract of Karen from Will and Grace was one of the most popular comparisons drawn to the video.
A few people couldn’t help tying it into one of HBO’s hits.
It did take me a moment to realize that when they were referencing The New Pope, they did not mean “slaps” in the traditional sense. I really feel like I may no longer be “with it” if the kids still say that.
For one or two, the video was validation for their own lives.
I mean, in the broad scheme of things, if you haven’t been slapped by the Pope, that’s a pretty good thing, I guess? Heck, I’ve got to take my victories where I can get them these days!
And, as usual, amongst the Twitter fray, there was a few remarkably calm people.
Yes, in the midden of the frantic Twitter arguments, a few people did try to open up a calmer discourse about the video. However, they were quickly drowned out by polarising all-caps tweets yelling obscenities.
Either way, at least we have this fire album to look forward to in 2020.
In light of the fact that 2020 is already continuing the political carnage of 2019, thank the God that we’ll have tracks such as “God Ain’t Lovin’ U” and “Incense, Outsense, Shake It All About Sense” by Papa-L F to get us through. Can’t wait for it to drop.
Let me know what you made of this whole incident in the comments.
