Click here to see some of the many Catholic comic book heroes and villains listed on a website dedicated to studying the religion of comic book characters

The work by Italian artist Mauro Palotta depicted Pope Francis as a white caped flying super-hero with clenched fist with a bag of values (valores).

The mural met with Vatican approval so much that they tweeted a photo of it from the Church's official communications Twitter account.

The artist "Maupal" (short for Mauro Palotta), lives in the neighbourhood, just under the shadow of St. Peter's dome.

He says Pope Francis is the only world leader who stands on the side of the people.

"I tried to make him into a divinity by depicting him like Marvel comics superheroes, who essentially are the modern metaphor for Greek mythology," he says. "Our pop icons are today's version of the ancient gods."

Passersby were intrigued by the image.

Rebecca Ruedas Segura, a teenager from Spain, said the wall painting represents Francis perfectly.

"He's very modern. He shows concern for the young and for the poor," she said. "The previous popes didn't really understand people but Francis does because he's humble."

Carlo Romano, an elderly man visiting from the southern city of Taranto, called the image "Stupendous, very beautiful!"

"This is a revolutionary pope; he mesmerises people."

Benni Castellano, a middle-aged Roman, believes that no one at the Vatican would be offended by the graffiti.

"He's a hero, modern hero for the church; he is doing very good things for the church, for the people, for the world," Castellano says.

"We people, we need him."

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.

Sources

• NPR
• Huffington Post
• Image: NPR