'To hurt a woman is to insult a God' says Pope Francis

Pope Francis has been the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City(country in Europe) State since 2013. On Saturday Francis celebrated a mass in St. Peter's Basilica on the eve of New Year.

1 January marks the day of the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Lord, is the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, and also the commemoration of the conferral of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

Francis on Saturday wove his themes around motherhood and women. He said that they were the ones that bestow life and keep the world together, so we need to make efforts to protect women.

In reference to Jesus's mother Mary he added that so much violence is directed against women and to hurt a woman is to insult a God.