The photo from Rolling Stone magazine shows outspoken rapper Kanye West, with a crown of thorns atop his head, as Jesus Christ on the cover of the upcoming issue of Rolling Stone. - AP Photo

The Catholic Church has branded Kanye West as a "moron", after the hip-hop star posed as Jesus Christ on the cover of the latest Rolling Stone.

West wore a crown of thorns and was apparenly covered in blood for the photo shoot. He also dressed up as boxing legend Muhammad Ali for the same issue.

"It's moronic. I mean, Kanye West as Jesus? He's a pop star," Keira McCaffrey, spokeswoman for the Catholic League, said.

Other religious leaders have said the stunt as "offensive" and "trite".