An embarrassed Vatican has had to recall more than 6000 papal medallions because they misspelled Jesus.
The medals, minted by the Italian State Mint to commemorate the election of Pope Francis, went on sale on Tuesday.
But, soon after, complaints began to flood in.
The collectible – available in gold, silver or bronze – had the Latin spelling of Jesus (Jesvs) printed incorrectly with an “L” in the place of the “J”.
The finely engraved medallions show Pope Francis in a pose that highlights that he is the first Jesuit pope in history.
The phrase which contains the incorrect spelling was chosen by Pope Francis himself:
VIDIT ERGO L(J)ESUS PUBLICANUM ET QUIA MISERANDO ATQUE ELIGENDO VIDIT, AIT ILLI SEQUERE ME
It translates as: “Jesus, therefore, saw the publican, and because he saw by having mercy and by choosing, He said to him, ‘Follow me'”
Pope Francis was elected in March after Pope Benedict XVI stepped down from the top job – the first pope to do so in 600 years.
Those medallions still in circulation are likely to become extremely valuable collectors’ items.
This article originally appeared on News.com.au