Two Artists Capture the Spirit of Pope Francis in the Streets of Rome

On April 21, 2025, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 in his residence at Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. His death followed complications from pneumonia after a long hospitalization. As the first Latin American and Jesuit pope, his 12-year papacy was marked by humility, reform, and outspoken support for the marginalized. Even before his passing, Pope Francis had already become a symbol in public spaces—immortalized not by statues or official portraits alone, but by street artists responding to his message in real time. Two powerful works in Rome now carry even deeper weight.

Super Pope by Mauro Pallotta in Rome, Italy

This mural became globally recognized in 2014, just a short walk from the Vatican. It portrays Pope Francis as a comic book-style superhero flying with a briefcase labeled “Valores” (Spanish for “Values”) and a white cape fluttering behind him. A cross hangs from the handle like a keychain.

Mauro Pallotta, also known as Maupal, created the piece to reflect the Pope’s bold approach to social issues—his flight powered not by force, but by ethics and humility.

Tic-Tac-Toe for Peace by Mauro Pallotta in Rome, Italy

In another mural by Maupal, the Pope is seen standing on a ladder, drawing peace signs into a tic-tac-toe game above a window display of bottles. A Swiss Guard walks away, seemingly unaware of the Pope’s quiet rebellion, or is he on the the lookout? The “O”s are peace signs. The “X”s are stacked like weapons.

Painted in Pallotta’s instantly recognizable comic style, this piece gently critiques the systems around the papacy, while celebrating Francis’s consistent efforts to sneak peace into every conversation—even where it wasn’t expected.

Mauro Pallotta’s Pope with a Heart Slingshot in Rome, Italy

Cartoon-style mural by Maupal depicting Pope Francis playfully holding a slingshot with a red heart-shaped projectile. The figure is illustrated in cartoon style, wearing traditional papal robes and a cross necklace, leaning slightly with a cheerful expression.

Be Francis by Andrea Villa in Rome, Italy

Installed guerrilla-style on a bus stop billboard in Rome, this intervention by Andrea Villa shows Pope Francis smiling gently and holding a sign that reads: “In a world of hate, be Francis.” The format imitates an ad, but the message is far from commercial.

Villa, known for his politically charged works, turns public space into a platform for quiet resistance. The text reframes Francis as more than a leader—he becomes a call to action, an embodiment of decency in a polarized world.

These two murals, both steps away from the Vatican, now serve as poignant reminders of Pope Francis’s unique position in modern history. Street artist Maupal, through humor and simplicity, managed to say what many felt: that this Pope tried—quietly but consistently—to steer the world toward something kinder.