Last Updated:March 07, 2025, 08:12 IST

An attempt at humour by England Cricket on social media in response to a message from Pope Francis has resulted in an apology from the cricket board.

England and Wales Cricket Board has apologised and deleted their “ill-judged” social media post joking that Pope Francis “loves the Ashes” in response to an Ash Wednesday message from the 88-year-old who has been in hospital since February.

Pope Francis, who has been admitted to Gemelli Hospital in Rome where he has been battling double pneumonia, shared a message via X on Tuesday to mark Ash Wednesday – the beginning of the holy season of Lent.

“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,” Pope Francis wrote.

While resharing the post, England Cricket wrote, “Even @Pontifex loves the Ashes.”

Ashes is the name given to the Test series between England and Australia cricket teams.

The post has since been deleted.

“This was an ill-judged post and was swiftly deleted. We apologise for any offence,” ECB said in a statement.

Pope Francis reportedly suffered two respiratory attacks earlier this week on Monday.

“Today, the Holy Father experienced two episodes of acute respiratory failure, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm,” the Vatican said in a statement.

On Thursday, he released his first public statement since being hospitalised on February 14.

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers for my health from the Square, I accompany you from here. May God bless you and the Virgin protect you. Thank you,” the pope said in a pre-recorded statement.

The octogenarian “remained stable compared to previous days” without “episodes of respiratory insufficiency” as per the Vatican.

The Vatican will provide the next medical update on Pope Francis on Saturday.