God led the Israelites in a cloud of smoke. Perhaps the showing of this photo is more profound than the journalists expected. The Pope is the Vicar of Christ, Second Person of the Blessed Trinity in which all Three are One. I think the joke is on the newspaper.
Numbers 10:34-35
The pillar of cloud from the Lord was over them by day as they marched.
And when the ark was lifted up, Moses said: Arise, O Lord, and let thy enemies be scattered, and let them that hate thee, flee from before thy face.