The Renaissance master's painting is housed in the Uffizi gallery in Florence, Italy and depicts the pontiff amid a time of turmoil for the church, with Leo's authority challenged by Martin Luther Photograph: PR
This portrait is attributed to Raphael, who is thought to have made nine different versions. At the time it was unusual to depict the subjects of portraiture at angles other than in profile or head-on Photograph: National Gallery Collection / Corbis
Acclaimed by some art historians as the finest portrait of all all time, this painting was reinterpreted in alarming style by Francis Bacon Photograph: Alinari Archives/Corbis
The pope's narrowed eyes have been attributed to myopia. The same pope later condemned Caravaggio to death after the artist was convicted for murder. This portrait is thought to have influenced Velázquez Photograph: PR
was painted to thank the pope for assisting at the coronation of Napoleon I of France Photograph: PR
This 1999 sculpture by Maurizio Cattelan depicts John Paul II having been hit by a meteorite. Though some Catholics thought it blasphemous, Cattelan later explained that it was inspired by the pope's fortitude in continuing to work through old age and infirmity, and imagined how God might give him merciful release. Something Benedict XVI has figured out for himself. Photograph: Olycom SPA / Rex Features
