Madonna 'wants to be like Gandhi'

Madonna adopted a child when she visited Malawi

Pop star Madonna has said she "wants to be like Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and John Lennon".

The 48-year-old made the statement on US radio station Sirius - but added she wanted to "stay alive".

"For me, the best thing in the world is to see something or hear something and go: 'Damn, I wish I did that. That's inspiring,'" she added.

The Material Girl also defended her controversial crucifixion scene in last year's Confessions tour.

"We all need to be Jesus," she said.

'Powerful image'

The show featured video messages of Aids orphans in Africa.

"Jesus's message was to love your neighbour as yourself and these are people in need," she added, claiming it had not been her intention to be controversial.

"I tried to take a powerful image and use it to draw attention to a situation that needs attention," she said.

"I'd like to think I am taking people on a journey... I am not just entertaining people, but giving them something to think about when they leave."