Saw this today and I thought it was really interesting. Are there some greater implications behind this? Or is it just a personal preference of Francis in particular? I don't know that it is his reasoning but it seems like you're just asking for disease transmission with that many people kissing the same spot in such a short time.

There is no real significance other than it seems a bit ungracious.on Frankie's part. I get his position, I would find it somewhat embarrassing but it is a traditional devotion (in some places it is even customary to kiss a priest's hand)., In other words, it is part of what comes with the position and it will rankle the feathers of traditional Catholics unnecessarily.

AstroAg17 said:

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The communion chalice seems like a bigger risk than ring kissing.

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I've been told by others on here that it is impossible for disease to be transmitted via a shared communion vessel.

I couldn't find anything on why he was pulling his hand away, lots of speculation though.

just from the whole silver/gold chalice thing, yeah the ring kissing is a bunch more germy.

But based on my extensive knowledge of period piece television shows, kissing the ring of bishops and popes is super standard.

For the record, if we ever finally have an R&P tailgate/HH/whatever, if any of you want to kneel/bow/curtsy and kiss my ring, I will totally allow it.

My post is also somewhat speculative in why the Pope is refusing the tradition.. This is a matter of practice which it is know that Frankie is not big on such matters of formality, it does not indicate any sort of shift in theology.

From the video, it looks like those who are bowing and not trying to actively kiss his ring he was allowing to. It's only when people try to aggressively kiss the ring he pulls back.

It even looks like some of the people caught on and started to try and quickly kiss his ring before he could pull it away.

Vatican says Pope's viral ring-kissing rebuff was driven by concern for 'hygiene'...

Is shaking hands *that* much more germy than these people barely kissing his hand?

The world's a gross place.

I mean putting something in your hand seems less germy than putting it in your mouth. But maybe that's just me?

Quote:

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For the record, if we ever finally have an R&P tailgate/HH/whatever, if any of you want to kneel/bow/curtsy and kiss my ring, I will totally allow it.

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If you are putting my ring *in* your mouth, you are excluded from this invite


But seriously. People, are nasty. Touch your phone, door handles, the stair rail.. people touch their ears, nose, mouth, etc and go on with life all the time.

The surface of your lips is probably in contact with less gross stuff (hopefully) throughout the day than your hands.

****this message not endorsed by the CDC, please wash your hands and phones often