‘Devil’s Circus’: Madonna was excommunicated three times and criticized by the Pope; all about the troubled relationship with the Catholic Church

Madonna performs this Saturday (04) on the sands of Copacabana Beach, in Rio de Janeiro. The show is the last of “The Celebration Tour”, which marks the Queen of Pop’s 40-year career. Her career is marked by many hits and records, but also by numerous controversies of a religious nature.

Madonna’s relationship with the Catholic Church has been troubled since the beginning of the star’s career. Around 1985, the singer popularized the use of crucifix chains as a fashion accessory. She even said publicly that she liked using the item because she had “a naked man”.

Still in the same decade, with the pop star’s growing success around the world, Pope John Paul II asked for an audience with the star. Madonna’s response? “If he wants to see me, he should buy a ticket and go to my show like everyone else.”

WHY WAS MADONNA EXCOMMUNICATED BY THE CATHOLIC CHURCH?

Madonna’s first excommunication came in 1989, with the release of the video for “Like a Prayer”, the most iconic of her career. In the video, the singer presents Jesus as a black man and kisses him on the mouth. Furthermore, she sings the song in front of several burning crosses, in a criticism of the extremist and racist group Ku Klux Klan, which had the cross as its main symbol.

The second excommunication came the following year, in 1990, due to several acts on the iconic “Blond Ambition” tour. On stage, Madonna simulated masturbation and exorcism and sang at a church altar. At the time, the Pope called for a boycott of the artist’s shows in Italy and classified the show as a “devil’s circus”.

There were 16 years without excommunications, but that does not mean that the relationship between the parties was calm during this period. In 2006, Madonna once again angered the Vatican by saying in the documentary “I’m Going to Tell You a Secret” that “the majority of priests are gay.”

In the same year, the third excommunication came, this time, with Pope Benedict XVI in charge. On the “Confessions Tour”, the American sings the classic “Live to Tell” hanging from a mirrored cross, with a crown of thorns on her head, in a clear reference to Jesus. On the screen, images of children starving and other human rights violations in African countries. The performance, which toured the entire world, was also held in Rome, for an audience of 64 thousand people.

In 2022, Madonna went public asking for a meeting with Pope Francis and classified his excommunications as unfair. “Hi, Pope Francis. I’m a good Catholic! I swear! I mean, I don’t swear! It’s been a few decades since my last confession. Would it be possible for us to meet someday to discuss some important issues? I’ve been excommunicated three times. Doesn’t seem fair. Sincerely, Madonna,” wrote the Queen of Pop, when X was still called Twitter.