Pope Francis’ first visit to the U.S. is about a week away, but while we’re waiting for his arrival, we don’t have to wait any more for an answer to one of the great questions of our time: Why do popes use such a weird hand gesture for benedictions?
Dr. Bennett Futterman, an anatomy professor at NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine and former orthopedic surgeon, claims he has figured out why. After a scientific analysis paired with studies of art, history, and religious practices, he has concluded that the hand of benediction—which is like a high five, but with the pinky and ring fingers curled against the palm—came about thanks to a nerve injury.
He believes that the first pope, Saint Peter, had an injury to his ulnar nerve. This flies directly in the face of previous sources, which claimed the injury involved his median nerve.
Controversy behind the blessing
“There’s always a controversy about this because some sources say one thing and others say another – the students always ask questions about it,” said Futterman in a press release. “I think it has to change.”
The ulnar nerve runs from the elbow to the pinky side of the hand, and is responsible for controlling certain motions of the ring and pinky fingers, including the stretching of these fingers. Meanwhile, the median nerve does sort of the opposite—it curls the middle and pointer fingers into the palm.
By saying a medial nerve injury resulted in this gesture, others have assumed St. Peter was trying to make a fist, and couldn’t curl in his index and pointer fingers thanks to the injury. However, after much research, Futterman believes it’s much more likely that he was trying to give a blessing with an open hand.
“A fist has always been a symbol of war – it’s never a positive position,” says Futterman. “No holy man would ever bless the faithful, a crowd, or followers, by making a fist.”
“The way that Jewish high priests blessed the people is what most would recognize as the Vulcan or ‘Spock’ gesture,” he added. “Later, Peter was trying to do that – he would have blessed people the way he knew. But if you have an ulnar nerve injury, you can’t spread your fingers and you can’t extend your pinky and ring finger.”
As to what caused the damage, Futterman believes sources point to one disease in particular. “There’s some evidence beginning to emerge that this may have been a leprosy infection affecting the ulnar nerve,” he said.
Pope Frances himself does not use this benediction gesture, instead opting for his hands being fully open. But many past popes—including those depicted in 1000-year-old frescoes and sculptures—followed in this tradition.
“Peter, the first pope, had an ulnar nerve injury and everyone copied him,” said Futterman. “Imitation is a great form of flattery. Out of respect for St. Peter, the other popes followed with that same pattern.”
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Feature Image: Thinkstock
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