On Monday, (March 25) Pope Francis visited a Catholic shrine in Loreto, he repeatedly withdrew his right hand as a long line of people bowed and tried to kiss the ring on it.
The footage went viral and the pope's refusal quickly entered what is known as the Catholic culture wars between conservatives and progressives.
LifeSiteNews, a conservative Catholic website that often criticizes the pope, called the episode "disturbing" in the headline of a long article that included a long history of papal rings and their significance.
Some Vatican watchers noted that even former Pope Benedict, a hero to nostalgic conservatives, and his predecessor John Paul, did not like having their hands or rings kissed - at least not by long lines of people for the sake of expediency.
More No Comment
Glasgow's streets filled with Santas for annual charity run
Ice-mining: Watch how this Chinese city gets its ice for sculptures
French climate activists hold stolen Macron portraits at protest
Anti-Brexit protesters gather outside British embassy in Brussels
London architests showcase sustainable gingerbread city of the future
France brought to a near-standstill as enormous strike gets underway
Artists shine a spotlight on climate concerns at Lyon's light festival
Rare sighting for coastguards as orcas visit Italian coastal waters
Dozens rescued from their homes after severe floods inundate Spain
Czech village hosts re-enactment of Napoleon's Battle of Austerlitz
Queen Elizabeth hosts NATO leaders at Buckingham Palace
Greta Thunberg heading to COP25 in Madrid after crossing Atlantic on catamaran
Juncker hands over to Ursula von der Leyen
Egg thrown at Maltese Justice Minister Owen Bonnici by angry protesters