Poof: Pope Francis superhero street art disappears

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.

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.