Madonna fans are divided over the singer’s AI-generated photos showing her stood alongside the Pope.
The “Material Girl” singer, whose full name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, sent her followers spiraling after she shared the two images online.
Madonna’s first photo shared on her Instagram story featured the singer, 66, snuggled next to Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, while wearing a black lace dress. Pope Francis looked as if he was grabbing her arm with his nose pressed to her cheek. “Going into the weekend like… … …,” her caption read.
“Feels good to be seen,” she wrote on the next slide alongside the second image of her in a black bustier. In this photo, Pope Francis was made to look like he was talking to Madonna with his arm around her waist.
Madonna tagged @rickdick_, the meme artist’s Instagram account, below the caption in red.
Though the controversial images were meant to be a joke, some of the “Popular” icon’s fans weren’t impressed or amused. In fact, they believed her posts were “creepy” and “inappropriate.”
On X/Twitter, several bothered individuals voiced their opinions. “This is creepy as hell,” one person proclaimed, while another noted: “It’s funny and pathetic at the same time.”
A third said: “This is another web full filling tentative of AI s***. Nonsense, sad and a useless use of modern tools. What is the message? what do you want to say?”
Yet, amid all the criticisms, many of Madonna’s supporters defended her, arguing these photos were an extension of her humor.
“What ‘fans’ are actually angry? We love her wicked sense of humor. She simply reposted photos that were going around for days,” one individual commented on X. Meanwhile, a second said: “She’s so real for that omg.”
Madonna’s history with the Catholic church goes back to 1989 when she came out with her music video for “Like a Prayer” which sexualized Jesus and featured burning crosses.
The video was banned by the Vatican shortly after its release. Roman Catholic historian Roberto de Mattei said: “The video is a blasphemy and insult because it shows immorals inside a church.”
Other members of the Catholic church were bothered by the video, too, discouraging their congregations and communities from listening to Madonna.
In May 2022, the “Hung Up” performer reached out to Pope Francis via X/Twitter.
She wrote: “Hello@Pontifex Francis —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. Sincerely, Madonna,” she finished.
