abstract:Popemobile (Italian: Papamobile) is an informal name for the specially designed motor vehicles used by the Catholic Pope during outdoor public appearances. It is usually considered as the heir of the antiquated sedia gestatoria.
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.
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.
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.