Pope Francis was forced to slap the hand of an over-eager pilgrim after she grabbed him during a New Year's walk of St Peter's Square .
The incident, which was captured on video, began when the 83-year-old Pontiff was greeting worshippers, spending time to touch their outstretched hands.
![The meet and greet started off normally enough.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/WIGXL3RYQFXNNFGLG2TKASFO6E.jpg?auth=9f251fe89cdb6a8b5d9df9eef7e072d4d66e90646fefb81a864b09d09e70f1f9&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)
One woman, who had been making the sign of the cross as Pope Francis approached, then grabbed his arm and pulled him towards her.
![The grabby pilgrim waits her turn.](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/resizer/v2/A37RBB3JTD2YOK76MM3ZAPH4G4.jpg?auth=27df8ef10900990cfb7b1a976775ae69510efb5d22478c5d3e99eb232cebfc86&width=16&height=12&quality=70&smart=true)