Playboy Apologizes for Offensive Cover

A nude model resembling the Virgin Mary appearing in the December issue of Playboy Magazine in Mexico has caused a large controversy, reported Reuters. The model posed wearing nothing but a white cloth over her head with the phrase, "We Love You, Maria," written across a stain glass window. The model's name is Maria. The issue hit newsstands on December 1, five days before a festival celebrating the Virgin Mary.

Playboy Enterprises Inc., based in Chicago, issued a statement claiming, "While Playboy Mexico never meant for the cover or images to offend anyone, we recognize that it has created offense, and we as well as Playboy Mexico offer our sincerest apologies."

The publisher of Playboy Mexico, stated, "The image is not and never was intended to portray the Virgin of Guadalupe or any other religious figure. The intent was to reflect a Renaissance-like mood on the cover."