The singer Madonna has sparked a backlash on social media after posting AI generated images of the Pope with his arm around her waist.
The two fake pictures, which were shared on her Instagram account and then re-shared on X, have been branded 'disrespectful' and 'unethical' by Catholics and also non-Christians around the world. One post described the images as 'funny and pathetic at the same time.'
Madonna, whose birth name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, was raised as a Catholic, but has been ex-communicated from the church on several occasions.
The 66 year old often uses religious imagery and in 1989 the video for her song 'Like a Prayer' was banned by the Vatican shortly after its release. It featured burning crosses and was regarded by Catholics as blasphemous.
Two years ago Madonna posted a direct note to Pope Francis on Twitter (now X) which read:
'I'm a good Catholic. I Swear! I mean I don’t Swear! It’s been a few decades since my last confession.
'Would it be possible to meet up one day to discuss some important matters? I’ve been excommunicated 3 times. It doesn’t seem fair.'