Pope Francis used his New Year's message to apologize for his behavior.
The day before, the pope was seen on video slapping away the hand of a pilgrim who grabbed his arm and pulled him toward her.
Security also stepped in to break up the pair in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
During his New Year's message, Pope Francis apologized for the outburst and talked about the need to protect women from violence. In his message he said "Every form of violence inflicted upon a woman is a blasphemy against God."
Image courtesy Getty