Pope apologizes for slapping woman's hand

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(SOUND BITE) (English-dubbed Italian) POPE FRANCIS, SAYING:

"So many times we lose patience, even me, and I apologize for yesterday’s bad example."

The apology came after the 83-year-old used the traditional New Year Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica to issue a forthright condemnation of the abuse of women.

(SOUND BITE) (English-dubbed Italian) POPE FRANCIS, SAYING:

“Women are sources of life. Yet they are continually offended, beaten, raped, induced to prostitute themselves and to suppress the life they carry in their womb. All violence inflicted on women is a desecration of God."

During his first homily of the new year, Francis also addressed another theme close to his heart, immigration, saying women who moved abroad to provide for their children should be honored, not scorned.

(SOUND BITE) (English-dubbed Italian) POPE FRANCIS, SAYING:

“There are mothers, who risk perilous journeys to desperately try to give the fruit of the womb a better future and are judged to be redundant by people whose bellies are full of things, but whose hearts are empty of love.”

Making the most of the teachable moment, Francis also said women must be fully involved in decision-making in the Roman Catholic Church. Last year, he appointed four women to a key Vatican department for the first time in its history.