Madrid: The fast-food chain Burger King in Spain withdrew and apologized for an offensive ad campaign that hurt Catholic sentiments during the Holy Week.

“We apologize to all those who have felt offended by our campaign aimed at promoting our vegetable products during Holy Week. Our intention has never been to offend anyone and the immediate withdrawal of the campaign has already been requested,” Burger King announced Easter Sunday on its official Twitter account.

The fast-food chain chose to use on billboards throughout Spain, the words uttered by Jesus at the Last Supper while consecrating bread, modifying them to promote a new vegetarian burger. The ad campaign provoked outrage among thousands of Catholics, several priests, and a bishop.

One of the billboards read: “Take all of you and eat of it. Which doesn’t have meat. 100% vegetarian. 100% flavor. Big King Vegetable.” Another ad read, “Flesh of my flesh,” with the word “flesh,” which is the same word for meat in Spanish, crossed out, and replaced with “vegetable.”

Criticisms against Burger King went viral with a hashtag #BoicotBurgerKing circulating on social media. An online petition drive was also launched on the 'CitizenGO' platform against the ad campaign.

“It’s time to respond with a boycott of Burger King,” reads the petition, which demanded the removal of the ads, an apology, and removal of a top executive.

“Money is the only thing these companies understand and only with a boycott will they begin to respect Christians and Jesus Christ as they deserve,” the text adds.

As of Monday, April 18, the petition had garnered more than 22,000 signatures.