Pope Benedict XVI welcomes Russian President Vladimir Putin before their meeting at the Vatican on March 13, 2007. The meeting, the first between Benedict and Putin, is part of a visit that takes the Russian leader to Italy and Greece this week. (UPI Photo/Anatoli Zhdanov)

The Archdiocese of Washington said the ad, which depicted the bobble-head version of the pope riding a Metro train, incorrectly represented the clothing of the church leader, The Washington Post (NYSE:WPO) reported Wednesday.

"Our concern is that this was a bad bobble-head," said Susan Gibbs, a spokeswoman for the archdiocese. "You had unauthorized merchandise, and you had a misdressed pope."

The toy was dressed in a red zucchetto skull cap and a red cape.

"Popes don't wear red skull caps" and they only wear white capes, Gibbs said.

Metro officials said the ad was intended to encourage people to ride public transport to the papal mass at Nationals Park next week.

"We think there's a better way to encourage people to take Metro," Gibbs said. "This is the Holy Father, and I think a lot of people would not be comfortable with a bobble-head ad."