VATICAN CITY – It wasn’t enough that Pope Francis was named Time magazine’s “Person of the Year” or that he fronted this week’s Rolling Stone magazine. Now there’s SuperPope graffiti sprouting up around the Vatican.
The white caped crusader appeared Tuesday on a wall just off Borgo Pio, a tiny cobble-stoned street near St. Peter’s Square. In typical superhero fashion, Francis’ right fist is thrust in the air, leading him in flight, while his left clutches his black satchel. “Valores,” or values in Spanish, is written across it.
The artist is identified only as Maupal.
Francis has charmed the masses with his simplicity and message of helping the poor, even as he has cracked down on Vatican waste and corruption.
The Vatican communications office approved of the image, tweeting a photo Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Pope seems to have made up with the world of birds.
After his dove release went terribly awry on Sunday, Francis gladly blessed and held a green parrot named Amore on Wednesday that was offered to him by his owner, Francesco Lombardi.
READ MORE: Birds attack as papal ‘peace’ doves released
Francis initially drove by Amore during his general audience, but then doubled back and took the bird for a few seconds on his finger. Lombardi said Amore parroted back the “Papa” that the crowd was chanting.
The scene wasn’t so peaceful on Sunday, when children flanking Francis set free two white doves from his studio window overlooking St. Peter’s Square. The birds were soon attacked by a crow and seagull. Animal rights activists have urged Francis end the tradition, saying domesticated doves can’t survive in the wild.
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