Pope Francis has offered an explanation as to why he repeatedly pulled his hand away when worshippers were trying to kiss his Papal ring, claiming he didn’t want to spread germs.
In a now viral video, the Pontiff was filmed snatching his hands away while multiple people tried to kiss him while he visited an Italian pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mart at Loreto.
Vatican spokesman Alessandro Gisotti said Francis was worried about spreading germs and was concerned about hygiene as devoted visitors all tried to kiss him.
Mr Gisotti said: “The Holy Father told me the motivation was very simple: hygiene. He wants to avoid the risk of contagion for the people, not for him”.
He added that usually when the Pope greets a small crowd of people, traditional kisses are welcomed but because the group was larger, there was a bigger concern for spreading germs.
He told reporters: “You all know that he has great joy in meeting and embracing people, and being embraced by them.”
A Vatican aide said he had been reportedly “amused' by all the reaction.
The aide said: “Sometimes he likes it, sometimes he does not. It’s really as simple as that”.
Monday’s video footage has divided people on social media, with some opting for a conservative approach and some favouring tradition.
