ROME: Pope Francis may already be a hero to the world's down trodden but at least one pop artist think she'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” fortruth and justice.

Francis has vowed to eliminate corruption inthe 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".