Madonna continues adoption campaign

NEW YORK, April 13 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Madonna says she hasn't given up hope she will be allowed to adopt 3-year-old Mercy James, despite a Malawian judge's rejection of her request.

Justice E.J. Chombo has admitted she felt "a gripping temptation" to approve Madonna's adoption application, but said she declined to do so because she was afraid the decision to waive a residency requirement could open the doors for child trafficking.

"Anyone could come to Malawi and quickly arrange for an adoption that might have grave consequences on the very children that the law seeks to protect," Chombo wrote in court records.

But People.com said the 50-year-old singer, who already has two biological children, as well as an adopted son from Malawi, told the Malawian newspaper the Nation she is hopeful an appeal she filed will eventually lead to her adopting Mercy.

"I want to provide Mercy with a home, a loving family environment and the best education and healthcare possible," the pop star told the newspaper via e-mail.

"Though I have been advised that I cannot publicly discuss the pending appeal regarding my desire to adopt Mercy, I do want to say how much I appreciate the level of support that I have received from the people of Malawi and my friends around the world," People.com quoted Madonna as saying in a separate statement issued by her publicist to CNN.