Global pop star Madonna is being criticised for her latest photoshoot with Vanity Fair magazine.
The 64-year-old singer was transformed into the Virgin Mary to grace the cover of the magazine’s February issue causing a stir among Christians on social media.
One fan said: “Disgusting. This is a mockery of Jesus,” while another commented: “This is so disrespectful.”
A third added: “Absolutely blasphemous this is not ok."
The queen of pop also recreated The Last Supper, posing as Jesus with 12 female disciples.
Olivier Bouchara, head of Editorial Content for Vanity Fair France, said: “In this very special issue, Madonna becomes Madonna again: an icon. Not just the embodiment of a musical trend or a style of dress, but a figure as disturbing as she is sacred”.
During the interview, Madonna said: "This is a good time for me — I’m gathering ideas, getting inspired, hanging out with creative people, watching films, seeing art, listening to music."
The cover comes as the queen of pop announced a tour across America and Europe to commemorate her 40th anniversary in the music industry.
This is not the first time the singer has been accused of offending Christianity, especially the Catholic Church. In 2006, her Confessions tour sparked criticism from the Vatican.
At the time, Cardinal Ersilio Tonini, speaking with the approval of the then pope, Benedict XVI, described the tour as a “blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross” and called for Madonna to be excommunicated.