Rihanna ‘Pope’ Dress Sparks Catholic Fury As ‘Beyond Offensive’ Outfit Comes Under Fire

Rihanna sparked a religious backlash and divided fans after she channelled Pope-chic for the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Ball.

The Barbadian superstar made sure to stick to the Heavenly Bodies theme in a heavily embellished custom-made John Galliano gown complete with crosses and a papal inspired headdress.

Rihanna, who co-chaired the event with Anna Wintour, Amal Clooney and Donatella Versace, claimed it would have been a “sin” to not wear the show-stopping piece.

“It feels expensive! It would be a sin not to wear it!” she told Vogue. But many religious fans disagreed, slamming the look as “disgusting” and “offensive

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One critic tweeted: “@rihanna I love you but showing up with a pope headpiece is so offensive to me. As someone raised in a Catholic household I think the #MetGala2018 is a mockery of the Christian religion and highly disrespectful on so many levels.”

Another posted: “So you can't wear a Native American outfit for Halloween because it's offensive, but Rihanna can dress like the Pope and she gets praised (???). Not only is she dressed as the Pope, her outfit sexualises it. Ok.”