Madonna's Pope tribute

BEIJING, Sept. 9 -- Madonna has upset Catholics by dedicating "Like a

Virgin" to the Pope at her concert in Rome on Saturday.

Britney Spears stands backstage with her

three awards for best pop video, video of the year and best female video

for "Piece of Me" at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles

September 7, 2008. (Photo: chinadaily.com.cn/Agenices)
Photo

Gallery

The singer's shock tribute to Pope Benedict XVI, the

head of the church, has been labeled "disrespectful" by the Catholic community.

During the show, Madonna - who was

brought up in the religion, but now follows the Kabbalah faith - said: "I

dedicate this song to the Pope because I'm a child of God. All of you are also

children of God."

"Like a Virgin" features racy lyrics,

including "like a virgin, touched for the very first time". Italian papers

called the dedication a "surprising provocation".

Madonna's concert, attended by 60,000 fans, was held only a few miles away

from the Vatican City - where the pope resides. It is not the first time Madonna

has upset the Catholic Church.

One of her previous tours was branded one of the most "Satanic shows in the

history of humanity", after she staged a mock crucifixion during a show in Rome

in 2006.

The video for her 1989 single "Like a Prayer," which featured burning

crosses, statues weeping blood and a black Jesus being seduced, caused mass

outrage.

The "Sticky and Sweet" tour continues with stops in Frankfurt, Germany, on

September 9 and London, England, on September 11.

(Source: chinadaily.com.cn/Agencies)