Superpope graffiti pops up in Vatican City

Pope Francis may already be a hero to the world's downtrodden but at least one pop artist thinks he's more than that. Move over Superman, it's time for Superpope.

A large painting has appeared on a building near the Vatican showing the Argentine pope taking off into the air, his right fist clenched ahead of him in classic Superman style.

His white cape and cross flutter in the breeze, and in his left hand he carries a black briefcase bearing the word "valores" — Spanish for values.

A scarf bearing the blue and red colours of his favourite Argentine soccer club, San Lorenzo, emerges from the bag.

But unlike Superman, who disguises himself as reporter Clark Kent, Francis is clearly identifiable and flies with his glasses on.

In the lore of the comic book hero, later a star of radio, television and film, Superman fought a "never-ending battle" for truth and justice. Francis has vowed to eliminate corruption in the Vatican and bring the 1.2 billion-member Catholic Church closer to the poor.

The artwork, which has been pasted to the wall, is signed "Maupal 2014".

The Vatican communications office approved of the image, tweeting a photo Tuesday.