Pope Francis Becomes Internet Rap Sensation

[news]

His Holiness is the latest hip-hop superstar in this hilarious new meme.

When Pope Francis was pictured picking up a microphone with his other hand stretched out horizontally, people on the Internet thought he looked like a rapper.

And they responded by giving him some lyrics.

The #PopeBars hashtag swept Twitter on Monday, with hundreds of people posting Drake, Eminem and Kanye-style verses underneath the image.

Psalms are sweaty Knees weak from genuflecting Vomit on his vestment already Mother Teresa's spaghetti #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/fuVZmP28EE
— Riley Burns (@RiiiLeY_Burns) December 1, 2015

as i walk through the valley of the shadow of death i take a look at my life and realize i'm @pontifex #popebars pic.twitter.com/B4goCfYrCR
— brent (@brntrydn) November 30, 2015

Mary and Joseph...I 'ship that, Blood of Christ...I sip that. Staying out on Saturday cuz, Sunday school...I skip that. #PopeBars
— Vincent Marcus (@VincentMarcus) December 1, 2015

thoughts on God? - real fav prayer position? - kneel shuffle the cards - deal, body of Christ - meal #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/4ENr2OsG9K
— Chris Melberger (@chrismelberger) December 1, 2015

The lyrics include references to religion, the Catholic faith and the Vatican.

The trend even caught the eye of "Scandal" star Kerry Washington, who stepped in to say it's "THE BEST."

Sadly, though, she didn't drop a rhyme herself:

Uhm #PopeBars ?!?!?! I'm dying! THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) November 30, 2015

"Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio -- with its opening "as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" line -- predictably received a lot of love.

As did House of Pain's "Jump Around" and Notorious B.I.G.'s "It was all a dream" lyrics. 

It was all a dream I used to read Luke 4:17 Virgin Mary and Moses looking over my papal mezzanine #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/YmNStFkA8N
— Clint Smith (@ClintSmithIII) December 1, 2015

Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin I came to win souls, that's not a sin I won't ever Satan up, punk you better back up #PopeBars
— Duncan Whitehead (@DuncanWhitehead) November 30, 2015

Yo holy water I splash that Collection plates I cash that Heal the sick no hazmat Your sins I forgot that #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/z06zyS82hA
— Idk why I (@HatefulNateful) November 30, 2015

Someone even came up with a fake "Holy Ghost" mixtape:

Holy Ghost Mixtape #PopeBars pic.twitter.com/LHTWNFGgNZ
— Mr Selfie (@YahBoiSelfie) November 30, 2015

The photograph that sparked the meme was taken by the AFP news agency's Gianluigi Guercia.

Pope Francis was giving his blessing during a visit to a camp for internally displaced people at St. Saviour parish in Bangui, Central African Republic, on Sunday, according to Getty Images.

Francis arrived in the conflict-wracked nation Sunday and, The Associated Press reports, urged the country's Christian and Muslim factions to lay down their weapons and instead arm themselves with peace and forgiveness.

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