The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has apologised after facing backlash for a social media post referencing Pope Francis in the context of The Ashes. The post was made in response to the Pope’s Ash Wednesday message, where he reflected on the significance of ashes in faith.
His post stated, “The #Ashes remind us of who we are, which does us good. It puts us in our place, smooths out the rough edges of our narcissism, brings us back to reality and makes us more humble and open to one another. None of us is God; we are all on a journey.”
In reply, the ECB wrote, “Even the Pope loves the Ashes,” making a lighthearted reference to the England vs. Australia Test series. While some found it humorous, many criticised it as insensitive, given that Pope Francis has been hospitalised since February 14 with double pneumonia and a complex lung infection. His condition is reportedly stable, but his health remains a concern.
Read more: Pope Francis Hospitalised for Pneumonia and Lung Infection
Following the backlash, the ECB swiftly deleted the post and issued an apology. An ECB spokesperson stated, “This was an ill-judged post and was swiftly deleted. We apologise for any offence.” Pope Francis is known for using social media to share messages of faith, but this response from the ECB did not sit well with many of his supporters.
The controversy highlights the increasing scrutiny sports organisations face over their social media presence. Many are calling for a more thoughtful and measured approach to public communication, especially when engaging with sensitive topics.
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for latest news and updates