Madonna reignites church feud with 'unethical' AI pic of her and the Pope

Madonna has sparked controversy after posting an AI-generated picture of herself and the Pope.

The singer has a long history with controversy and the church after releasing her hit single 'Like a Prayer' in 1989.

But the star, 66, has gone a step further after sharing an image, created by AI, of Pope Francis seemingly embracing her.

She posted the fake picture on her Instagram Story, with the caption 'feels good to be seen'.

But people online have branded the move as 'creepy' and 'disrespectful'.

Madonna also tagged Rick Dick, who was behind creating the image.

One user online said: "This is ridiculously disrespectful."

A second wrote: "So weird and creepy."

And another added: "This is unethical and not good at all."

However, others quickly came to her defense.

One fan commented: "What ‘fans’ are actually angry? We love her wicked sense of humor. She simply reposted photos that were going around for days."

While someone else said she was 'so real' for sharing the pic.

Madonna has not yet addressed the backlash.

Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2023, she opened up about her religion.

"I was raised with a Catholic education," the 'Material Girl' hitmaker said.

"During the press conference, while I was busy promoting In Bed with Madonna, I was shocked to see myself attacked by the Church because it was unable to understand how much my work was trying to produce something good.

"I immediately realized that the problem was them, not me."

She added: "The problem was them because they had not understood that my work as an artist united people, gave them freedom of expression, unity.

"It was the mirror of Jesus’ teachings. Whoever attacked me was just a hypocrite."

Speaking about her beliefs today, Madonna described herself as 'spiritual'.

She added: "I think it is important to have a pattern of rituals and a spiritual life. But I also think that religion without understanding, without knowledge, without curiosity and inclusiveness cannot be considered religion."

The star continued: "My relationship with religion today? Cultivating my spiritual practices.

"Practices that are valid for me and do not necessarily have to be valid for everyone.

"I think everyone should do it because I find it important to pray and have a connection with the soul, with spiritual strength, call it what you want.

"I think it is important because I believe in the idea of something bigger, something higher, something metaphysical that is beyond us but that keeps us all together."

UNILAD has contacted representatives for Madonna for comment.