The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued an apology after facing backlash over a social media post that made a lighthearted reference to Pope Francis in the context of The Ashes.
The remark, which was widely criticised as insensitive given the Pope’s critical health condition, was swiftly deleted.
The controversy arose when the ECB responded to a social media post by Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday, a solemn day marking the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar. The Pope’s message reflected on the significance of ashes in religious practice, stating:
"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 response, the ECB posted: "Even the Pope loves the Ashes," a reference to the historic Test cricket series between England and Australia.
While some social media users perceived the remark as a lighthearted pun, others deemed it inappropriate given Pope Francis’ health condition. The Vatican had earlier confirmed that the 88-year-old Pontiff has been hospitalised since February 14 due to double pneumonia and a complex lung infection. Though his condition is reportedly stable, his prognosis remains uncertain.
Following widespread criticism, the ECB removed the post and issued an apology.
"This was an ill-judged post and was swiftly deleted. We apologise for any offence," an ECB spokesperson said.
Pope Francis is widely recognised for his active engagement on social media, often sharing messages of faith and reflection with millions of followers. However, the ECB’s attempt at humour did not sit well with many of his supporters, prompting calls for greater sensitivity in public communication.
The incident comes at a time when sports organisations are increasingly under scrutiny for their social media interactions, with many calling for a more measured approach to online engagement.
