Italian church group congratulates wrong cardinal after Jorge Bergoglio becomes Pope
Washington, Mar. 15 : In a major embarrassment, a church group the Italian Episcopal Conference issued a statement congratulating the wrong cardinal for ascending to St. Peter's chair on Wednesday.
They expressed 'joy and gratitude' over the selection of Italy's Angelo Scola instead of Argentina's Jorge Bergoglio.
Scola was considered a favorite for the papacy, but someone at the Episcopal group send out the congratulatory statement even as Pope Francis stepped onto the world stage, Gazzetta del Sud reported.
According to the New York Daily News, the office of Mariano Crociata, secretary general of the group, quickly fixed its mistake, issuing an updated statement.
Crociata in his new statement expressed joy and gratitude of the episcopate and the whole of the Italian Church in the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the successor of Peter.
He promised his organization would offer unconditional reverence and obedience to Pope Francis.