World

Holy Swag! Pope Francis Inspires Capitalists

BUY, BUY, BUY

The pontiff might criticize consumer culture but that didn't stop people from trying to make a buck on his image.

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David Goldman/AP
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A pope-mobile souvenir sits on a shelf at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Monday, Sept. 21, 2015, in Washington. Pope Francis will celebrate Mass Wednesday at the basilica, the largest Catholic church in the United States and North America, with a crowd of about 30,000.

David Goldman/AP
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Photos and souvenirs of Pope Francis are displayed as Delfino Cantu, right, and Valencia Cantu, of Corpus Christi, Texas, mull over the purchase of coffee mugs at the gift shop at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, Monday, Sept. 21, 2015. 

David Goldman/AP
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A Pope Francis bobblehead and other souvenirs are displayed at the World Meeting of Families Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, in Philadelphia. The World Meeting of Families which officially opened Tuesday is described by organizers as a conference that blends prayer, religious instruction and faith-themed lectures as the world's largest gathering of Catholic families.

Matt Rourke/AP
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Pope Francis dolls on display at the souvenir shops at the Philadelphia Convention Center in preparation for Pope Francis's Visit to the US, in Philadelphia, September 21, 2015.

ZUMA Press, Inc. / Alamy Stock Photo
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A child attends the community blessing offered by Pope Francis in the Cathedral in Santiago de Cuba on the last day of his visit to Cuba, September 22, 2015.

Tony Gentile / Reuters
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A man sells Pope Francis dolls on a street corner during the pope's visit to Washington September 23, 2015. 

© Brian Snyder / Reuters
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A picture of Pope Francis hangs on a cardboard cutout of President Barack Obama outside a souvenir shop in a subway station in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 22, 2015.

Brian Snyder / Reuters

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