This pope comes wit' cheesesteak

NOW THIS IS a Pope Francis souvenir that comes wit' cheese. A lot of cheese.

South Philly resident Thomas Sprott may have helped to create the most Philly-centric pope memento yet - a Francis bobblehead in the arms-up Rocky pose, wearing boxing gloves and holding a cheesesteak.

Sprott, 34, who works in the hospitality industry and dabbles in the online sales of collectible toys, placed his PhillyBobblePope on Etsy Monday night and by 5 p.m. yesterday he already had 60 orders for the $20 souvenir.

According to Sprott, one of the overseas manufacturers he works with in the collectible toy market had seen plain Pope Francis bobbleheads, and he and the manufacturer worked together to create this extra-Philly-centric one. Sprott is now attempting to get it trademarked so he can have the bobbleheads shipped before the pope's visit.

Sprott said the bobbleheads are being made right now and probably won't reach customers who order online for at least 40 days. He said a store on South Street has already agreed to pick up two dozen of the wobbly-headed figures when they arrive.

Of the design, Sprott said he's a Philly guy who is just trying to do his Philly thing.

"To me, it's all right there - the Rocky gloves and, I don't care what your dietary issues may be, everyone knows it's a Philly cheesesteak," Sprott said. "This is as Philly as you can get without putting an Eagles jersey on him."

Sprott added that while he hopes to cover his costs and make a profit, he also wants to make "everyone's world a little brighter" with his PhillyBobblePope.

"If I can get one of the strictest, oldest Catholic ladies in the world to chuckle at it, that will be perfect," he said.

PhillyBobblePope can be found at Etsy.com/shop/phillybobblepope.

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