Ring the changes! Pope Francis is all smiles as nun kisses his ring a day after footage emerged of him pulling his hand away from worshippers

• Pope Francis let Sister Maria Concetta Esu kiss his hand in St. Peter’s Square
• On Monday the Pope was seen pulling his hand away from pilgrims at Loreto
• They wanted to pay traditional respects by kissing the Pope’s sacred ring
• But Francis smiled as he slipped his hand away as each tried to do so 
• Some criticised his insistence as egotistical while others thought it was humble

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Pope Francis seems to have had a change of heart concerning worshippers kissing his papal ring to show their respect. 

Earlier this week, the Pope was accused of saying goodbye to the tradition after footage emerged of him repeatedly pulling his hand away as visitors attempted the gesture.

The pontiff was greeting worshippers at the Italian pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary at Loreto on Monday but appeared reluctant to let the faithful kiss his silver cross ring – the sacred symbol of the Pope’s union to the Church. 

Yet it was back to tradition for the Pope on Wednesday as he allowed Sister Maria Concetta Esu to sweetly kiss his hand in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

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It was back to tradition for the Pope on Wednesday as he allowed Sister Maria Concetta Esu to sweetly kiss his hand in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican

Earlier this week, the Pope was accused of saying goodbye to the tradition after footage emerged of him repeatedly pulling his hand away as visitors attempted the gesture 

The 85-year-old, of the Congregation of the Daughters of St. Joseph of Genoni, was receiving a Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice decoration for her work as an obstetrician in Africa.

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Having helped with the birth of some 3,000 children during her 60 years of missions, the papal awardee met the pontiff during his trip to the Central African Republic.  

The Pope divided opinion in the Church following his display on Monday, with some believing the Pope should always allow them the privilege of kissing his ring.  

Sister Maria Concetta Esu was allowed to perform the traditional show of respect

What a contrast: While the 85-year-old was allowed (left), the pontiff appeared reluctant (right) to let the faithful kiss his silver cross ring – the sacred symbol of the Pope’s union to the Church – on Monday

Yet others said it is a dated practice harking back to when Pope’s were crowned like monarchs. 

A Vatican aide said the Pope had been ‘amused’ by all the reaction, adding of the ring kissing: ‘Sometimes he likes it, sometimes he does not. It’s really as simple as that.’ 

Footage shows the pontiff beaming politely as his devotees kneel before him, yet as each of them attempts to kiss the ring he quickly slips his hand away. 

The pontiff can be seen smiling afterwards to offer reassurance as some appear deflated at his recoiling from the kiss. 

Pope Francis was in Loreto to sign a document on Monday during his pastoral visit at Santuario della Santa Casa

Pope Francis’ address was broadcast on screens in the packed square outside the Church in Loreto

Papal biographer Austen Ivereigh, a supporter of Francis, tweeted: ‘He’s making sure that they engage with him, not treat him like a sacred relic. He’s the Vicar of Christ, not a Roman emperor.’

‘It’s high time kissing bishops’ rings disappears altogether. It’s just ridiculous and has nothing to do with tradition. It’s an import from monarchies. Much of the pomp around bishops should be ditched,’ tweeted Jesuit priest Russell Pollitt.

Some Vatican watchers noted that even former Pope Benedict, a hero to nostalgic conservatives, and his predecessor John Paul, did not like having their hands kissed – at least not by long lines of people, for the sake of expediency.

One Twitter user recalled that when he visited Pope John Paul with a group of 50 people they were told specifically not to kneel or kiss the papal hand. 

Pope Francis reacts during a visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Loreto on the feast of the Annunciation on Monday

Rome correspondent for the National Catholic Register Edward Pentin tweeted: ‘This is something he has done quite regularly during his pontificate though not quite so insistently as today.’

David Gibson, director of Fordham’s Center on Religion and Culture, wrote: ‘This tradition is simply a throwback to an imperial/monarchical era that the papacy mimicked. If it served a purpose at one time it may not (and I think does not) serve any longer. Pope’s are no longer crowned.’ 

But Catholic priest Kevin Cusick tweeted: ‘It’s a grace for the faithful to be able to show respect for the office of the pope by kissing the papal ring. It’s not about the pope, it’s about the faithful.’ 

Francis celebrated Mass in Loreto’s cathedral and then signed a document dedicated to today’s youth.

The papers which will be officially released on April 2 are titled ‘Christ Lives.’ 

The Pope greets the faithful inside the cathedral at Loreto in Italy as he signed a document dedicated to today’s youth

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