A fashion label that used a bare-breasted nun as part of an advertising campaign is at the centre of a row over blasphemy in Naples , as Pope Francis prepares to visit the port city . The giant billboard shows an image of a woman dressed in a nun 's habit and jeans , with naked breasts . The campaign by fashion label Rosso di Sera has caused controversy in the southern Italian city , ahead of a scheduled papal visit next weekend . 'Obscene ' : Locals have expressed horror at fashion label Rosso di Sera 's new billboard erected in Naples just one week ahead of the Pope 's visit to the city . Locals have denounced the image as 'obscene ' and 'ugly ' . One Franciscan Facebook user said : ' I am an atheist but I find it offensive to intelligence , to women , to good taste and to faith . ' Other saw the 20 x30ft image in the city centre as a cynical marketing move . But the company Rosso di Sera denied the billboard had been deliberately timed to cause a fuss . Apology : The clothing firm has insisted 'there was no intent to blaspheme ' adding that the company 'strongly regrets being accused of things extremely far from our values and our culture ' 'We recognise that we have made a strong marketing choice but there was no intent to blaspheme , ' the company said in a statement . 'Trivialising the act of prayer was not the intention in any way , ' Rosso di Sera said , adding that the company 'strongly regrets being accused of things extremely far from our values and our culture . ' The Pope is set to visit Naples on March 21 and will also be visiting Pompeii on his trip . Pope Francis , pictured leading a mass in Rome this week , is set to visit Naples on March 21 .
nun di ##aries erected billboard as part of their new advertising campaign . Provocative image of nun has been denounced as ' obscene ' and ' ugly ' Fashion company advertisements , insisting ' there was no intention to blaspheme ' It stated : ' Trivialising the message of prayer was not the intention in any way '