The singer shocks Catholics again, by relaying an AI-generated image in which she appears embraced by Pope Francis.
Pope Francis hugging Madonna… This scene never existed, but an image generated by AI nevertheless immortalized it. This false photo, relayed by the singer in a story on Instagram, did not fail to shock some Internet users. “The AI is going too far”, “What’s wrong with Madonna?”, some were offended, while others were amused.
However, this is not the first time that the singer, who has made provocation her trademark, has created controversy.
Since its beginnings, Madonnafrom a family of Catholic Italian-Americans, cultivates Catholic imagery, surrounding herself with crucifixes, disguising herself as the Virgin Mary… Her pseudonym itself refers to the virgin. And she named her daughter Lourdes.
Clip condemned by the Vatican
In 1989, the Music video for Like a Prayerfull of Catholic symbols, shocks the Church. Taking refuge in a church, she kisses a black saint and wears the stigmata of Christ on her hands. At the time, the Vatican condemned the clip and religious associations called for a boycott of the Pepsi brand, which used the song in its advertising. Pepsi then terminates its contract with Madonna.
Pope John Paul II himself encourages Italian fans to boycott the singer.
The commercial was not re-aired until 30 years later, during the MTV Video Music Awards.
“34 years ago, I did a commercial with Pepsi to celebrate the release of my song,” the singer said in a statement.
“The ad was immediately canceled when I refused to edit scenes in the video where I was kissing a black saint or burning crosses. Thus began my illustrious career as an artist refusing to compromise my artistic integrity […] the artists are there to disturb the peace.”
“Excommunicated three times”
In 2006, during his tour Confession Tourshe further multiplies religious symbols on stage. During the song Live to tellshe appears crucified and wearing a crown of thorns. In concert in Rome as part of this tour, the singer dedicates Like a prayer to Pope Benedict XVI “because I know he loves me. I am a daughter of God”.
In 2022, she called out to Pope Francis with humor, on social networks, asking him to be able to meet him.
“Hello Pope Francis, – I am a good Catholic. I swear, well I mean no, I don't swear. It's been several decades since I went to confession. Would it be possible to meet a day to discuss important matters? I've been excommunicated three times. That doesn't seem very fair to me.
Last year, she posed on the cover of Vanity Fair dressed as the Virgin Mary, a costume she loves to don, as evidenced by the recent photos she posted for Halloween.
