A tweet posted by Pope Francis briefly went viral after he made a remark about the “middle finger.”
According to New York Magazine, the tweet was part of a series about the virtues of all the fingers.
“God has placed the gift of life in your hands. From your hands tomorrow is born. From your hands peace so lacking in this country can come about. I would like to suggest some “ingredients for the future”: five of them, each corresponding to a finger on your hand [Apostolic Journey],” Francis said in one tweet.
God has placed the gift of life in your hands. From your hands tomorrow is born. From your hands peace so lacking in this country can come about. I would like to suggest some “ingredients for the future”: five of them, each corresponding to a finger on your hand #ApostolicJourney
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) February 2, 2023
In a tweet, which has since been deleted, Francis suggested the middle finger, “Which is higher than the others, reminds us of something essential: honesty.”
He added, “To be honest means not getting entangled in the snares of corruption.”
I made the pope delete a tweet, what level of hell does this send me to https://t.co/dIbUyW5eVu pic.twitter.com/trr8kjzMQK
— The Redheaded libertarian (@TRHLofficial) February 2, 2023
The original tweet about the “middle finger” sparked several reactions.
Former Trump administration official Olivia Troye reacted, tweeting, “Thank you, Pope Francis, for the reminder that I need to use my middle finger more often! Honesty is the best policy.”
Thank you, Pope Francis, for the reminder that I need to use my middle finger more often!
— Olivia of Troye (@OliviaTroye) February 2, 2023
Honesty is the best policy. https://t.co/Ny5LPRlQU8
Another user wrote, “I love to honestly express my feelings with my middle finger, too, Mr Pope.”
I love to honestly express my feelings with my middle finger, too, Mr Pope https://t.co/DTBwJ87CLx
— Diana Hussein (@heyadiana) February 2, 2023
One user tweeted, “The [Pontifex] speaks on the middle finger. Somehow he left out the part where it means ‘I love you’. At least that’s what I told my kids.”
The @Pontifex speaks on the middle finger. Somehow he left out the part where it means “I love you”. At least that’s what I told my kids. 😂 https://t.co/ZcX4fbKrkm
— Jason Dunnington (@jdunnington) February 2, 2023
The responses come as Francis paid a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
According to The New York Times, Francis put “down his prepared remarks and instructed the stadium packed with young Catholics in Congo to make clear their opposition to the corruption that had hobbled their country with a single, rousing voice.”
He reportedly said, “All together,” adding, “No to corruption.”