Madonna sparks major backlash over controversial Pope AI pictures

Madonna has sent the internet into outrage overdrive by posting a series of controversial AI-generated images of her with Pope Francis.

The star shared the unusual images depicting her snuggling up with the 87-year-old head of the Catholic Church last Friday.

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Madonna appears in a black lace corset in the images and, in one photo, stares down the barrel of the camera as the pope rests his face on hers.

AI digital artist Rick Dick posted the images to Instagram and the Vogue singer reshared them.

“MA.I.DONNA AND THE POPE. Thank you @madonna ❤️‍🔥,” the artist wrote.

Resharing the post, Madonna wrote on the first image, Going into the weekend like ... “, and on the second she said, “Feels good to be seen ...”

Fans were quick to react to the controversial posts.

“It’s funny and pathetic at the same time,” one said.

“Do not post things that offend God and the faith of millions of people, have more respect, do not repost lies, and do not create lies with artificial intelligence,” a second said.

Madonna has a complicated history with religion. Credit: madonna/Instagram

Another added: “Nonsense, sad and a useless use of modern tools. What is the message? what do you want to say?”

“How disgusting,” added a user.

For decades, her complicated relationship with Catholicism has played out both in her art and in the public eye.

Raised in a devout Catholic household in Michigan, Madonna’s early years were steeped in the rituals of faith, from Sunday Mass to rosary prayers.

But as she broke into the music industry, she transformed those sacred symbols into tools of rebellion, challenging traditional views of faith, sexuality, and identity.

Madonna performs. Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation

From the crucifix-heavy imagery in Like a Virgin to the provocative blending of erotica and religious iconography in Like a Prayer, Madonna has consistently used the motif of religion in her art.

“I have a funny relationship with religion,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in 2013.

“I’m a big believer in ritualistic behaviour as long as it doesn’t hurt anybody. But I’m not a big fan of rules.

“And yet we cannot live in a world without order. But for me, there is a difference between rules and order.

“Rules people follow without question. Order is what happens when words and actions bring people together, not tear them apart.

“Yes, I like to provoke; it’s in my DNA. But nine times out of 10, there’s a reason for it.”