This image of the Pope MARRYING two gay men is set to trigger a storm of protest in Ireland and around the world.Entitled "You May Now Kiss The Groom", this edgy new artwork shows Pope Benedict XVI presiding over the wedding of two homosexuals.
Critically acclaimed Irish artist Kevin Sharkey produced the startling image after the Pontiff labelled gay marriage one of the most "insidious and dangerous" threats to the world today.
Donegal-born Sharkey, 47, says he hoped the work would put the Pope's claim in context, and show the couple in an innocent and inoffensive light.
The work goes on display at an exhibition of Sharkey's work in Dublin at the end of June, alongside other works in the Irishman's controversial collection.
The provocative artist caused a stir in 2009 with his image of glamour model Katie Price, merged with the face of notorious moors murderer Myra Hindley, entitled "Public Enemy Number One".
Sharkey said: "I got the idea for this piece when I read a newspaper headline, where the Pope had labelled gay marriage the biggest threat to our society.
"I am familiar with the traditional stance which the Catholic Church is expected to take, but I just felt condemning thousands of innocent people with such strong remarks is both unchristian and insulting.
"When I think all the evil in the World, from terrorism, to disease, to famine, I find it horrifying that a man with The Pope's incredible power and influence can only focus on something as minor as gay marriage.
"I think some of the recent revelations of disgraceful behaviour by Priests within the Catholic Church is much more evil and disturbing than two people who wish to formally express their love."
However, officials at the Roman Catholic church defended their leaders comments, labelling same sex unions "contrary to God's plan".
A spokesman for the church added: "God's plan for marriage includes the biological fact that a man and a woman can come together as male and female in a union that has the potential to generate new life.
"Same-sex unions, however, are incapable of realising the specific communion of persons that is marriage. Same-sex unions do not reflect the natural complementarity of man and woman through which the generation of new life becomes possible.
"Such unions are contrary to God's plan for sexual love which is intended for the relationship between husband and wife in marriage.
"Same-sex relationships by their very nature cannot be considered equal or almost equal to marriage."
SIC: CLUK