Before Sabrina Carpenter and Lady Gaga offended the Catholic community with the "Feather" and "Alejandro" music videos, respectively, there was Madonna with her chart-topping song "Like a Prayer," which ended up getting banned by the Vatican.
The hit was released 35 years ago, on Mar. 3, 1989. At that time, it received a lot of backlash and criticism for the imagery portrayed in its music video.
"The video is a blasphemy and insult because it shows immorals [sic] inside a church," said Roberto de Mattei, an Italian Roman Catholic historian, about the song and its accompanying music video, which left religious groups stunned and appalled.
The video was so shocking at the time that Pope John Paul II even spoke against it and called for a boycott.
Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' Shocks the Vatican's Sensibilities
According to American Songwriter, Madonna's "Like a Prayer" was not meant to offend. She emphasized the importance of religion in her life as a child.
"'Like a Prayer' is the song of a passionate young girl so in love with God that it is almost as though He were the male figure in her life," the "Material Girl" hitmaker explained in 1989.
"From around 8 to 12 years old, I had the same feelings. I really wanted to be a nun."
However, the video told a different story; including sexualized scenes of the singer with a saintly figure and burning crosses.
"The theme of Catholicism runs rampant through my album," Madonna explained. "It's me struggling with the mystery and magic that surrounds it. My own Catholicism is in constant upheaval."
"When I left home at 17 and went to New York, which is the city with the most sinners, I renounced the traditional meaning of Catholicism in terms of how I would live my life. But I never stopped feeling the guilt and shame that are ingrained in you if you are brought up Catholic."
Pepsi Drops Madonna After Vatican Ban
Before the song was released, Madonna signed an endorsement deal with Pepsi, and the soda company was set to sponsor her Blond Ambition tour.
After intense backlash and the pope's statement, Pepsi canceled its endorsement deal with Madonna; it was also described as "one of the most expensive advertising blunders ever," by John Tesh.
Meanwhile, "Like a Prayer" climbed the music charts and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200.
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