Madonna tells Mercy "You are part of us now" after adoption win

An emotional Madonna told Malawi orphan Mercy James, "You are part of us now" after the singer was granted permission to adopt a second child from the country.

Earlier the star was stopped from adopting four-year-old orphan Chifundo "Mercy" James. Back in April, a judge had dumped the 50-year-old's adoption plans by saying prospective parents had to be resident in Malawi for 18 months.

However, the appeals court said that decision did not take into account the singer's commitment to helping disadvantaged children, reports The Sun.

After hearing the court's verdict, Madonna phoned Mercy from New York in floods of tears.

She read her a "letter of motherly devotion" written with daughter Lourdes, 12.

The Material Girl told Mercy, four: "Today is your new birthday, my darling daughter, as it is the day you came to me.

"It is a new beginning for us all. The world is ours to change together now. I promise I will love, protect and guide you with my every breath.

"I can't wait to welcome you to your new home, my beautiful child. You are part of us now - of me, Lola, Rocco and David. You are so loved."

Apparently, Madonna had stayed up all night praying in her New York home.

A source said: "I've never seen her so emotional or so happy. She was giddy."

Madonna adopted David Banda - now three - from Malawi in 2006.