The mural showed Pope Francis as a graffiti artist on a step ladder, painting peace signs in a game of noughts and crosses whilst a guard looks out for police officers.
Adesso è più bello, vero? ?? Mah... Comunque complimenti #Maupal. pic.twitter.com/GVB0UcmKjl
— Fabio Pariante (@FabioPariante) October 19, 2016
The painting was removed just hours after it was discovered.
It is thought a street artist, Mauro Pallotta, is behind the work.
He is known for signing his work with the name Maupal, according to the New Daily.
It has been reported he painted it a studio and pasted it up near the heart of Catholicism in Rome overnight.
