'Pope Francis effect' inspires papal onesies, lampshades, iPhones

Is Pope Francis your homeboy?

Pope Francis wears his spectacles as he waves to the crowd (GETTY IMAGES)

Sales of Pope Francis-related merchandise is booming as the pontiff's popularity spreads across the globe.

Among items for sale bearing the spiritual leader's image are lamps, mugs, t-shirts, balloons and even adult and infant onesies carrying slogans such as 'Pope Francis is my homeboy'.

iPhone cases, mugs, tracksuits and other items emblazoned with his face are cropping up across the world in what is being known as the so-called 'Francis effect' that has seen the numbers attending Catholic church events treble.

Catholics with Attitude, a Catholic clothing company told the Catholic Herald they had seen sales of hooded tops and t-shirts shoot up by 20 per cent since Pope Francis was elected in March.

The retailer said their best selling items are clothes bearing quotes from the Pope, and their strongest selling item of all carrying the words 'rebel against this culture'. The quote comes from an address he gave in Rio de Janeiro calling on young people to "swim against the tide" and "rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility".

Barry Flynn, spokesman for Catholics With Attitude told the Herald: “The Pope is grabbing their [young Catholics] interest and people are listening to what he has to say.”

Among other Francis-related items for sale are aprons, trolley bags, duvets, mousemats, underwear and even cocktail shakers and beermats.