On his way to Tuesday's Mass, Pope Francis rode in an open, white jeep, instead of the bulletproof pope-mobile often used by his predecessors, stopping to greet well wishers and getting out of the car to bless a disabled person.

WSJ: Pope Francis Celebrates Inaugural Mass

One unnamed Chirac advisor is quoted in today's Le Parisien newspaper as wondering whether - in future - it might be an idea for the president to carry out his Bastille Day troop inspection in a type of Pope-mobile, or protected car.

BBC: French President Jacques Chirac

The survey of 20, 000 Africans from 11 nations, carried out on mobile phones by mobile technology company Jana, also found that 86% thought an African pope would increase support for Catholicism in Africa.

CNN: Survey: Africans ready for African Pope