TRENDING: Rapper stance earns pope new audience
He conquered the United States in September, is just back from a hugely successful trip to Africa ... and now Pope Francis is an unlikely inspiration for rappers around the world.
And it is all thanks to an AFP photograph that has gone viral on social media.
Gianluigi Guercia's snap of Francis speaking during a visit to a camp for displaced people in Central African Republic on Sunday captures the 78-year-old pontiff in classic rapper pose.
Holding his microphone in his right hand with his fingers wrapped around the top of it, the pontiff holds out his left hand horizontally, as if counting out beats.
Twitter-wits have had a field day with the image, making up thousands of imaginary papal rap lyrics under the hashtag #PopeBars.
Most were irreverent but tinged with affection, reflecting how Francis has successfully crafted an image as both likeable and a bit cool with his modest personal style and his efforts to make the Church more relevant.
Now watch me whip
then watch me pray pray
Watch me whip, whip
Then watch me pray pray
#PopeBars pic.twitter.com/XRTNfvWFpJ
— Rudy (@HartmannRudy) December 1, 2015Lyrical cataclysm
Miracle catechism
Smack em w that epistle
Then
Back to the Vaticizzle
#PopeBars
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 30, 2015I'm not a preacher, I'm a father
Never married but they know they are my sons & daughters #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/XYQE9eiPDT
— That Guy (@Niick254) December 1, 2015The 🌎 staring at me, while I'm stressing these bars/ last time i touched the 😈 i left him with scars #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/Z3t1TswFqd
— Young Vito (@Seeksteen) December 1, 2015
"I murder these bars like Cain did to Abel. Better call me Charlie cause I'm surrounded by angels" #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/vd2sOi7Mzi
— Just Sayin, I Tried (@thvpelo) November 30, 2015(Photo: GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP)