Photo: The Washington Post
We’re not the most religious people out there, but we know this much about believing in a higher power: if you are to praise the name of greater good, you may as well find a way to be humble about it. The word is that Pope Francis is trying to lower the grade of opulence that has surrounded Vatican and his predecessors for too long the last years.
And if riding in a retrofitted Jeep Wrangler during his September visit to the United States isn’t related to lowering the opulence level, we don’t know what is. According to a Holy See Press Office emailed statement quoted by The Washington Post, the customized vehicle is currently in the hands of the Secret Service in the United States.
Due to safety concerns, the car was enhanced with three seats behind the driver’s compartment for the pope and his aides, along with a large windscreen, clear roof, and open sides. Apparently, the Jeep Wrangler will resemble the one the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church used during his recent visit to Ecuador.
You’re probably here wondering why should we care about what the Pope Francis is riding in throughout his visits. Well, you should know things have been changing in terms of Vatican’s approach towards its followers, especially in what’s the Bishop of Rome’s attitude is concerned. Quite often people portray Pope Francis either as a progressive papal reformer or with liberal, moderate values.
That is a value that seems to reflect in terms of the cars the pope has been using too. While Pope Francis retained the Mercedes popemobile for security reasons and trips abroad, his reign has been characterized by simpler standards. For trips in Vatican City, he used a plain Ford Focus from the Vatican motor pool. He also drives himself around the city in 1984 Renault 4 presented to him by a priest from northern Italy, Fr. Renzo Zocca.
In a way, The Holy Father is no stranger to an off-road vehicle, considering he rode in something similar during his trip to the Philippines. This time, Pope Francis rode in a Jeepney, which are retrofitted U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II.
Due to safety concerns, the car was enhanced with three seats behind the driver’s compartment for the pope and his aides, along with a large windscreen, clear roof, and open sides. Apparently, the Jeep Wrangler will resemble the one the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church used during his recent visit to Ecuador.
You’re probably here wondering why should we care about what the Pope Francis is riding in throughout his visits. Well, you should know things have been changing in terms of Vatican’s approach towards its followers, especially in what’s the Bishop of Rome’s attitude is concerned. Quite often people portray Pope Francis either as a progressive papal reformer or with liberal, moderate values.
That is a value that seems to reflect in terms of the cars the pope has been using too. While Pope Francis retained the Mercedes popemobile for security reasons and trips abroad, his reign has been characterized by simpler standards. For trips in Vatican City, he used a plain Ford Focus from the Vatican motor pool. He also drives himself around the city in 1984 Renault 4 presented to him by a priest from northern Italy, Fr. Renzo Zocca.
In a way, The Holy Father is no stranger to an off-road vehicle, considering he rode in something similar during his trip to the Philippines. This time, Pope Francis rode in a Jeepney, which are retrofitted U.S. military jeeps left over from World War II.
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