Since the election of Robert Francis Prevost as the new Pope, who chose the name Leo XIV, people have been showering him with various gifts at public events. This also happened on Saturday, when he was passing in an open vehicle among the crowd of believers on Náměstí sv. Peter in the Vatican and the video from this moment made social networks laugh again.
The footage captures the Pope smiling, greeting people and shaking hands, with a lively and joyful atmosphere around him. The crowd is thick, people are waving, taking photos and trying to be as close as possible when suddenly someone present throws a pair of socks at the Pope. Leo XIV. is trying to catch them, but now he didn’t succeed, to which the so-called facepalm.
This gesture means that a person places his palm on his forehead. In Slovak, it is used to express despair, shame, frustration or incomprehension over something stupid, absurd or embarrassing that just happened or what someone said. The gift eventually reached the Pope thanks to one of the security guards, who handed him the socks.
Social networks have previously seen various reactions to people from the crowd throwing objects towards the Holy Father. Multiple videos and posts show that some throws were “harmless” (objects such as small gifts or fabric figurines) and several users commented on it with humor. Many even they appreciated how the Pope was able to capture the subject or react calmly.
On the other hand, there was also concern about safety and respect. Such behavior could be considered dangerous and disruptive, especially in a crowded crowd, and they called for more caution and respect for the Pope.
