A young nun, 25 years old, became an internet sensation after winning Italy's famous TV talent contest called The Voice of Italy. Sister Suor Cristina performed her rendition singing to the tune of Alicia Key's  ballad "No One", wearing her official dress 'habit' , head scarf 'wimple' and the crucifix around her neck.

She received 50 million hits on YouTube and became an internet sensation since March 2014 when she first sang the tune in another show.

But Suor Cristina still defined herself as a "humble servant" and ascribed her sudden success to a "thirst for joy, for love, and a message that is beautiful and pure". She believes her song expresses "the beauty of God".

"My presence here is not up to me, it's thanks to the man upstairs!" she said after being declared the show's winner.

"I'm not here to start a career but because I want to impart a message."

Sister Cristina said that she was following Pope Francis's calls for a Catholic Church that is closer to ordinary people and following the bible of joy.

She then recited the Lord's Prayer "Our Father in Heaven" on stage.

Suor Cristina added, she was once distant from religion but was inspired to be a nun when she auditioned for a part in a musical about the founder of the Ursuline Order, Saint Angela Merici.

She became a novice in 2009 and worked for two years with poor children in Brazil before formally joining the order although she still has to take her final vows.

She may have won audience hearts but her popularity is not universal, even in Italy, and critics have ascribed her success more to novelty value than talent.

"I will go back to my priorities – prayer, waking up early in the morning, go for school service, sing with children in chapel. That's fundamental for me to be able to begin something new later on" , she added.

The talent show was also apparently being followed in the Vatican corridors of power, with top culture official Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi tweeting a quote from a Roman thinker: "If we commit injustice, God will leave us without music."

Sister Cristina has won endorsement from several celebrity actresses and pop musicians but her critics ascribed her success to novelty value than talent.

Fame has brought media scrutiny, including interviews with Sister Cristina's ex-boyfriend. Press reporters also interviewed Cristina's music teacher Claudia Koll who is also the director of the musical academy where Cristina was trained. Claudia Knoll is now a lay sister (not ordained and not bound to divine office).

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