In this video Pope Francis can be seen walking down the airstairs while President Aquino is waiting him below. At the moment the two head-of-state met, they shook their hands, it can be seen that President Aquino tried to kiss the hand of the pope but Pope Francis denied it.
This incident stirred up many different opinions from netizens in social media. But still why should the pope deny such kind of showing respect?
Here is one definite and possible explanation.
They are both the same as head-of-state, thus, co-equal. So, that mere shaking of hands would have been enough as part of the protocol. However, as a Catholic Christian, President Aquino tried to genuflect and to kiss the Pope's hand as a sign of respect. But, then, as a counter-show of respect to a fellow head of state, the Pope politely denied President Aquino's gesture. We can't stop people putting malice on the incident, but we should praise also the respective gestures of both President Aquino and Pope Francis which showed their mutual respect and utmost humility to the point of setting aside basic protocols (church and state).
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