Artnet News has compiled a selection of artworks created in anticipation of Pope Francis's first visit to the United States. The works include Anthony VanArsdale's portrait for the North American College in Rome, a new addition to the 'Franks' mural at Philadelphia's Dirty Franks bar, a massive photo-realistic mural by Van Hecht-Nielsen overlooking Madison Square Garden in New York, a large-scale mural by Caesar Viveros for the Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, and a controversial, officially licensed portrait by Perry Milou. Other featured pieces include an illustration by Omkar Shivaprasad and a vandalized mural in Bolivia by William Luna and Guillermo Rodriguez.
The article highlights how the Pope's global influence and historic visit have spurred a wave of artistic production across diverse communities and contexts. It connects contemporary art to current events, showing how artists respond to major cultural and religious figures. The piece also touches on recurring art-world issues like copyright disputes, as seen in the comparison of Milou's work to Shepard Fairey's 'HOPE' poster case, and the commercial ambitions behind such commemorative art.