Madonna has courted controversy at a concert in Rome by dedicating her hit song Like A Virgin to the Pope.

"I dedicate this song to the Pope, because I'm a child of God," she told 60,000 fans in the Italian capital. "All of you are also children of God."

Two years ago, the 50-year-old was criticised by the Catholic Church for staging a mock crucifixion at a concert in the city's Olympic Stadium.

But Italian newspapers gave Saturday's concert warm reviews.

"At the Roman leg of her tour, Madonna didn't miss the opportunity for a provocation that will certainly be discussed," Corriere della Sera said on its front page.

Madonna has a long history of using religious imagery in her performances, with her 1989 video for the song Like A Prayer featuring burning crosses, statues crying blood and Madonna seducing a black Jesus.

Source: BBC