Madonna Dedicates Song to Pope at Sold-Out Concert; Pope Dedicates Gospel Acclamation to Madonna at Morning Liturgy

ROME - Controversial American pop star Madonna dedicated her performance of “Like a Virgin” to Pope Benedict XVI before a full-house at the Coors Light Mussolini Amphitheater Sunday night, only to have her magnanimous gesture topped by The Holy Father the next day. 

Following the entrance hymn at Monday morning’s 6:30 Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, the Pope made his announcement to a standing-room only congregation. 

“I’m dedicating the Gospel acclamation during today’s liturgy to Madonna because I am a child of God,” he said.  ”All of you are also children of God.”

He then began reciting the Penitential Rite.  Long-time Vatican watchers could not recall an instance where a Pope specifically dedicated a portion of the Mass to an American show business personality.  But Father Mike Loftus, a professor of Canon Law and Church History at the University of Dayton Marianist Theological Seminary recalled one instance where pop culture and the Holy See intersected.

“When Ed Sullivan was visiting Pope Paul VI, His Holiness promised the so-called King of Sunday night a ’really big shew’ if he came to a Mass the Pope was celebrating the next day.  Sullivan did come, and the Pope recognized him from the pulpit, much like Ed did with visiting celebrities in his audience.”

A Vatican spokesman said the Pope has followed Madonna’s career for years but finds her recent body of work disappointing.  “The Holy Father says it’s all downhill since ‘Shanghai Surprise.’”

Sep 10

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