Rome, Italy (The Adobo Chronicles) – As expected, Suor Cristina, the 25-year old Sicilian nun, won the finals of the reality show The Voice of Italy.

In a success story that many have seen as fitting for the era of a popular, down-to-earth pope, Cristina Scuccia’s appearance on the reality television show has gripped viewers in Italy since her blind audition where she sang Alicia Keys’ No One. That performance — which left the judges looking incredulous and program directors suddenly seeing a potential blockbuster — went viral and generated more than 51 Million views on YouTube.  Thursday’s finals garnered a 21% audience share for the public broadcaster’s Rai 2 Channel.

But as with any competition, there is controversy, and there are protests.  The season finalists protested the audience vote, accusing Pope Francis of rigging the process — or at least using the papal influence to shape the outcome.

The Adobo Chronicles reported way back in March that Pope Francis said he would vote for Suor Cristina.  Apparently, most of Italy’s 60 Million Catholics followed their spiritual leader.

The unsuccessful finalists said they have hired an attorney to file a formal protest  and seek the annulment of the final results on the basis of “unfair advantage” on their part. Italians are skeptical about the merits of the complaint and more so, doubt its successful outcome since even in the Catholic Church, annulment (as in marriage annulment)  is a very long and complicated process.  Some have said that the finalists were just being sour losers.

Meanwhile, Suor Cristina is reportedly facing the biggest dilemma of her life: whether to quit the religious life and pursue a worldly singing career, or remain within her blessed calling.