Arch of DC requests Metro remove "offensive" bobble head pope ad

Earlier today I posted on a public service message created by the Washington DC Metro authority for pilgrims coming to see Pope Benedict XVI and using the special Papal Mass Pass they offer.

It contained a video segment with a pope bobble head figurine (incorrectly dressed in red, incidentally).

It was soon taken down by the user who uploaded it - and now we know why:

Metro officials are apologizing for a brand new ad that appeared on the transit system's website, featuring a Pope Benedict bobble head figurine, traveling to the Nationals Stadium by way of Metro.

It's a two minute on-line advertisement using humor to get an important message out to those attending the historic Papal Mass...

... In the ad, an enlightened commuter begins to chant in Latin, thanking heaven for Metro. Then viewers follow a miniature bobble head Pope Benedict riding with an all-day fare card.

Yet, just hours after it was posted, the Archdiocese of Washington notified Metro and requested it be [removed].

Here is video from local ABC news 7.

Personally, I did not find the advertisement offensive. I think it was designed to convey important information to pilgrims in a humorous (albeit at times somewhat uneducated) manner.

I can see the Archdiocese of DC's point, of course. But I think they may come across as over-sensitive.

What do you think?

update: and while the link lasts, someone has uploaded a copy of the video....

update 2: Associated Press has picked up the story. Way to make a big deal of it. I'm also reading conflicting reasons from the Archdiocese as to why they thought the ad should be pulled. That isn't helpful.