More Creative Pope Merchandise as Visit Date Nears

The Pope's visit is nearly upon us on the East Coast, and with it has come a huge variety of promotional products. It seems like the amount of items for the Pope's visit to Philadelphia grows every day, with new products, ranging from tote bags to toasters, popping up.

Philadelphia Magazine published a list of some of the more, let's say, original Francis-related items, many of which are from unofficial street vendors, such as the Pope Francis Eagles bootleg tee, which shows the Pope wearing an Eagles jersey. The creator of the shirt told Philadelphia Magazine, "This shirt is like if Pope Francis were an Eagles fan."

Fans of Pope Francis can also purchase a Pope Toaster, which encourages users to "spread the love" with a burnt image of Pope Francis.

Debby Fireman, owner of Narbeth, Pennsylvania-based Fireworks Marketing, told PHL17 she usually gives toasters to clients with their logos on it.

"People have been making toast forever," Fireman said. "This is a very different kind of toast."

For retro music fans and collectors, there's the Pope Francis mock LP cover, which shows the Pope surfing, recalling 1960s surf rock album covers, called "Pope Francis Presents Modern Sounds for Soul Surfers in Monotheistic Sound." The 12" faux album cover is available on Etsy now. There's no real album attached, but we would love it if Dick Dale, king of surf guitar, ever decides to collaborate with the Pope on an album.

We're keeping our eyes open as Pope-related pop-up shops appear in our own neighborhood. (Why they aren't officially called Pope-up shops is beyond us.)