Pope Francis falls victim to Catalan 'shitter' tradition

Pope Francis was caught with his chasuble rolled up at the waist in the latest batch of Spain's "caganers", holiday season figurines which depict bare-bottomed celebrities defecating.

The ceramic statuettes have been sold in the northeastern Catalonia region since the 18th century.



Catalonians hide caganers ("shitters" in Catalan) in Christmas Nativity scenes and invite friends to find them. The figures symbolise fertilisation, hope and prosperity for the coming year.

Pope Francis was also joined by his predecessor Benedict XVI, South African anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela and reggae legend Bob Marley in this year's new releases.