Madonna jokes the 'Popey-Wopey' is 'secretly in love' with her during tour stop (Video)

Madonna talked openly about Pope Francis during her show on Thursday, praising him for being so open-minded. She even joked to the audience in Philadelphia that he has a crush on her.

Before launching into a performance of “La Vie en Rose,” which she dedicated to the pope, she affectionately referred to him as “Popey-wopey.” She also shared she doesn't think "there's much difference between me and the pope."

“Rules are for fools. That’s why I like the new pope. He seems very open-minded,” she said. “Since Popey-Wopey is on his way over here, I want to dedicate this song to him.”

TheWrap reports she also joked that the pope was “stalking her” by having the same schedule as her, first visiting New York then Philadelphia.

“Either he’s a copycat or he’s secretly in love with me,” she said.

Madonna has had several run-ins with the Catholic church due to her controversial religious imagery in her music video for “Like A Prayer” as well as her many tours – the Blond Ambition tour, Confessions tour and now still in her Rebel Heart tour.

She joked, “I've been excommunicated from the Catholic Church three times. It shows the Vatican cares – deeply."

image courtesy of INFphoto.com