Pope Francis repeatedly withdraws his right hand as worshippers bow and try to kiss the ring on it during visit to Catholic shrine in Loreto, Italy. https://t.co/4PsdTxNmCg pic.twitter.com/03MkhfiLPo

— ABC News (@ABC) March 27, 2019

Troll level: infalliible.

Conservative Catholics, who routinely accuse the current Pope of straying from church doctrine and tradition, now suspect that he has an end to ring-kissing in his sights.

They point to video taken on Monday in the Italian town of Loreto, which shows the Pope withdrawing his hand from Catholics trying to kiss his ring.

…During a 53-second period, Francis snapped his hand away from 19 people trying to bow and kiss his ring. One particularly unfortunate man ended up kissing his own hand after the pope suddenly withdrew from the greeting.

And this is the section which has been widely shared online.

It may be that the Pope was in a hurry to get to the end of the receiving line – and it’s notable that, afterwards, he went on to spend more time greeting people, many in wheelchairs, at the front of the church.

Francis may not enjoy his ring being kissed, but it’s inaccurate to say that he rejected all those that day who attempted the gesture….

Pope’s ring-kissing controversy not what it seems (BBC)