Years after famously saying “I would like to see the Pope wearing my T-shirt,” Madonna finally got her wish — well, sort of.
On Tuesday, the Queen of Pop took to Instagram to show off her cheeky hoodie embroidered with an image of the Catholic leader proudly rocking a Madonna-branded robe.
The custom design by Seks — a favorite of fellow fashion rule-breaker Julia Fox — also depicts Pope Francis with a set of edgy flaming wings.
Abel Cepeda Ljoka and Will Kowall tell Pvnew Style the creation was directly inspired by Madge’s iconic quote, adding, “We used red thread inspired by the Kabbalah red string to protect the wearer’s energy.”
“We are literally the biggest Madonna fans,” the duo adds. “We love her so much, and have such a deep appreciation for her art, what she has done, and what she is doing. So there is no greater honor than these moments. Madonna is one of the most iconic icons of all time.”
The fashion choice follows Madonna’s 2022 request for a meeting with the religious icon, which seemingly never came to fruition.
“Hello @Pontifex Francis —I’m a good Catholic. I Swear! I mean I don’t Swear! Its [sic] been a few decades since my last confession. Would it be possible to meet up one day to discuss some important matters ? I’ve been ex communicated [sic] 3 times. It doesn’t seem fair. Sincerely Madonna,” the music legend tweeted at the time.
The “Like a Virgin” singer has had a complicated relationship with Catholicism over the years, with her behavior deemed “blasphemous” by the church after she strapped herself to a cross and wore a crown of thorns during a 2006 performance in Rome.
“This is a blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross,” the late Cardinal Ersilio Tonini said at the time (per the Evening Standard) on behalf of then-Pope Benedict XVI, adding, “She should be excommunicated.”
And who could forget her controversial 1989 music video for “Like a Prayer,” which was banned by the Vatican for its burning crosses and erotic depiction of Jesus; Pope John Paul II even encouraged fans to boycott her Blond Ambition tour afterward.
Controversial behavior aside, the Queen of Pop has been busy prepping for her highly anticipated Celebration Tour, which was postponed after she was hospitalized with a bacterial infection over the summer.
Perhaps we’ll see another statement-making religious moment when she takes the stage — although she might leave the crucifix behind this time.
