Pope Francis allowed nuns and priests to kiss his papal ring during his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square on Wednesday, two days after a video showing him pulling his hand away from several faithful drew criticism.
Some conservative critics of the pope feel Francis is abandoning church doctrine and tradition, and seized on him jerking his hand away from Catholics seeking to kiss his ring as what they believe is evidence of him shunning age-old traditions.
But many noted that a short clip that made the rounds online didn't give the full picture.
During a visit Monday to Loreto, a major Italian pilgrimage site, Francis received a long line of faithful, some of whom shook his hand, while others kissed his hand or bowed down in a gesture of reverence.
He only began pulling his hand away after having greeted a large number of people.
Those coming to his defense noted that he still had to greet sick people and lead a prayer.
The video clip also become material for jokes.
Comedian Noah Trevor on the Daily Show on Tuesday evening imitated Francis pulling his hand back and quipped "I am impressed at how quick he is, like every single time."
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