Italian fans cheer 'crucified' Madonna

Religious leaders may have snubbed Madonna as a publicity-seeking blasphemer, but there was pure adoration from Italian fans when the pop star staged a mock crucifixion at her concert in Rome.

The crowd of 70,000 cheered wildly and many snapped pictures with mobile phone cameras when the diva rose from the stage crucified on a mirrored cross and wearing a crown of thorns.