Universal Music has released a promotional video for the album by Ursuline Sr Cristina Scuccia, who shot to worldwide fame with her version of Alicia Keys' hit "No One".

The Italian bishops' newspaper Avvenire reported the video features footage of Sr Cristina recording at Universal Music's studio.

"The work will be done in time to be a Christmas present," the report stated.

Despite the pressure and media attention during and after winning the final, Sr Cristina said that her priority would always be to continue in religious life.

She renewed her vows as a member of the Congregation of Ursuline Sisters of the Sacred Family on July 29, and is scheduled to make her perpetual vows in 2018.

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Wearing her black habit and a crucifix, Sr Cristina Scuccia eventually beat three other competitors with a convincing 62 per cent share of the popular vote.

She closed the show by saying the Lord's Prayer.

"The last word of thanks, the most important, goes of course to him in heaven," she said.

"And my dream is to recite a Padre Nostro together . . . I want Jesus to enter into this."

One of the songs she sang in the final was "Flashdance . . . What a feeling".

She sprang to fame in March when, in a blind audition on the show, she sang the Alicia Keys hit "No-One".

Video of her performance went viral on the Internet and since then has received more than 50 million hits on YouTube.

Her win sees her receive a recording contract offer from Universal, but she has said she wants to go back to her life in a convent near Milan.

"I will go back to my priorities - prayer, waking up early in the morning, school service," she said.

She reportedly also said she would leave it to her superiors to decide if show business is an appropriate career for a nun.

Sr Cristina 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".

Her performances have drawn criticism from some traditional quarters about whether such "exhibitionism" is appropriate for a nun.

Other viewers have said her wearing her black habit on the show was a gimmick to attract attention.

But the Vatican's cardinal in charge of the Pontifical council for Culture, Gianfranco Ravasi, posted a message of support for her on Twitter after her win.

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10) #suorcristina," it read.

When Sr Cristina first appeared on the show, she said she had been inspired to do so by Pope Francis, who has asked nuns and priests to "come out" of their churches and convents and spread the word of God.

Sources

• New York Daily News
• The Tablet
• The Guardian
• Image: Billboard

Sr Cristina Scuccia, a member of the Ursuline Sisters of the Holy Family, wowed judges on the Italian version of the TV show "The Voice".

Her audition has gone viral, with more than 3 million views on YouTube.

Clad in her black habit, Sr Christina performed a punchy rendition of Alicia Keys' "No One".

It brought forth wild cheers from the audience and moved one judge, Italian rapper J-Ax, to tears.

Answering a question from one judge, Sr Cristina assured the panel she is a real nun.

The audience gave her a standing ovation.

The 25-year-old native of the Sicily attended the auditions accompanied by her parents, and four sisters from her community

As her performance soared, her fellow sisters could not contain their excitement, cheering, clapping and jumping.

"I came here because I have a gift and I want to share that gift. I am here to evangelise," Sr Christina said.

Asked what the Vatican would make of her performance, Sr Christina said: "I don't know. I'm expecting a telephone call from Pope Francis, certainly."

"Because he exhorts us to go out, to evangelise, to say that God does not take from us, but rather gives us more," she continued.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, tweeted his admiration for Sr Cristina's performance.

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others (1 Peter 4:10)," the cardinal posted on Twitter.

Last year, Sr Cristina won a Christian music competition as part of the Good News Festival.

Then she explained that she had found her vocation while playing a nun in a musical.

Sources:

• The Guardian
• News.co.au
• Sydney Morning Herald
• Image: Irish Examiner