POPE Francis has caused an internet sensation by posing for the world's first papal "selfie".

The Pope had his picture taken with a mobile phone camera when he met a group of young people at the Vatican on a pilgrimage from the Italian Diocese of Piacenza and Bobbio.

The snap went viral after the teenager who took the close-up shot posted it on Facebook.

It came as the Pontiff appointed a new "deputy pope". Archbishop Pietro Parolin, 58, will replace the Holy See's secretary of state, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, on October 15.