Pope Francis superhero street art disappears

The wall, left, where the image depicting Pope Francis as Superman was posted, is seen empty at the Borgo Pio district near St. Peter’s Square in Rome, Thursday. Rome’s decorum police early Thursday scrubbed the wall near the Vatican where “SuperPope” had been displayed, showing Francis as Superman. Associated Press

VATICAN CITY—Pope Francis’ status as a superhero has bit the dust.

Rome police early Thursday scrubbed the wall near the Vatican where “SuperPope” had been displayed, showing Francis as Superman in flight and clutching his black satchel of values to spread to the world.

Italian artist Mauro Pallotta poses in front of his graffiti depicting Pope Francis as Superman. Associated Press

Artist Mauro Pallotta had put the image up on Monday in homage to Francis. Pallotta’s agent, Margaret Porpiglia said Thursday the artist is now hoping to avoid a city fine, but is considering making a street art piece depicting “anti-hero” Rome Mayor Ignazio Marino.

The white caped crusader pope, which was actually painted on paper and affixed to the wall with water-based glue, had drawn immense popular interest around the Borgo neighborhood of tiny cobblestoned streets near St. Peter’s Square.

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