As preparations continue for Pope Francis' U.S. tour, an artist is busy painting his version of the pontiff.

Pop artist Perry Milou, who has a studio in Ewing, New Jersey, has painted "A Prayer for Peace" and "The Holy Day," which both depict the pope. He says he completed one of the paintings in eight hours, but his artwork will make a lasting impression when the pope visits Philadelphia next month.

The World Meeting of Families, a Catholic organization that is holding a conference in conjunction with the pope's Philadelphia visit, has licensed Milou's artwork. His images of the pope will appear on mugs, shirts, bags, posters and other merchandise. 

Milou says the paintings are pure. "It came from my soul," he says. "I think that he is reaching out less about religion and more about spirituality and faith," Milou says of the pope.

Milou hopes to sell his original artwork of the pope for $1 million, and he says he would donate the money to charity.

The pope will visit New York next month.