Pop star Madonna, once accused by the Vatican of staging one of the most satanic shows in history, surprised fans by dedicating her hit Like a Virgin to the pope at a sold-out concert held in Rome.

?I dedicate this song to the pope, because I?m a child of God. All of you are also children of God,? the 50-year old Queen of Pop told the 60,000 fans that flocked to the Italian stop of her Sticky & Sweet world tour .

Italian newspapers gushed over the singer?s electric performance and called the dedication a surprising provocation.

?At the Roman leg of her tour, Madonna didn?t miss the opportunity for a provocation that will certainly be discussed,? Italy?s top newspaper Corriere della Sera said in a front-page report. Madonna, who comes from a devout Italian Catholic family, has raised the ire of the Catholic Church in the past with sexually charged antics designed to shock.