ATLANTA -- The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Atlanta is apologetic about a $2.2 million home that has drawn criticism.
In his first interview since the scandal broke, the Archbishop Wilton Gregory told the Associated Press he intends to sell the home, but first will ask church leaders what they think.
"My heart tells me...they're going to recommend that the property be sold," he said.
The news of the 6,000 square-foot mansion made national news, with the story on the front page of the New York Times Wednesday.
Parishioners had been asking him to change his mind about the home since he moved in after Christmas.
Laura Mullins met with him privately.
"I said, 'Archbishop, you're a good man…Get in front of this story. This is going to be a major story," Mullins said.
On Wednesday, the archbishop said "Hindsight is always 20/20," and he should have paid more attention to what his parishioners were saying. He told the Associated Press the design for the home was initially even more extravagant, including a wine room and an antique chandelier, but Gregory asked them to dial it back.
Even with those reductions, the house features an elevator, a safe house, two dining rooms and a gourmet kitchen -- amenities the archbishop says are no longer in line with Pope Francis' vision for the Catholic Church.
"I don't intend to do that mistake again – namely not take the opportunity of hearing my people," Gregory said.
The archbishop did not put a timeline on when he would make his decision, but said he would start asking church leaders for guidance immediately.
