A controversial series of advertisements from the United Colors of Benetton that features world leader including the Pope and US President Barack Obama engaging in same-sex smooches has won the Press Grand Prix at Cannes Ad Festival.

The campaign was named 'Unhate' and immediately caused a stir, particularly from the Vatican , with the pontiff successfully having his ad kissing a Muslim imam removed from publication. The other adverts included Israeli  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planting a kiss on Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' lips, Obama getting jiggy with  Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, while former French President Nicolas Sarkozy showed German Angela Merkel why the French make the best lovers.

The adverts immediately went viral around the world when they were released and obviously left a great impression on the advertising experts who praised Benetton's vision and appeal.  “You can like it, you can dislike it, you can't ignore it," juror Bedi Sohal, from the UAE said about the ad. And really, that's what advertising is all about.