I wonder if the pope wanted to punch him in the face due to his offense to the religion?
Most likely wanted to, but when you consider all the European liberal nations, especially Italy, surrounding you, that’s a stupid move unless God is guaranteed to lay the smack down on your behalf and engage the earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis to your benefit. People sometimes forget the years under the reign of Ahab were allowed by God, in addition to the slaughter of his holy men, before Ahab and his family took turns dying and being eaten by dogs. God can allow plenty of insults and defilement before he actually strikes.