LOOK: Popemobile for Pope Francis’ visit to Thailand
BANGKOK — The open-air ‘popemobile’ for Pope Francis visit to Thailand later this month is a locally produced Nissan Navara pick-up truck.
Unlike other security protocols applied in other papal visits, Pope Francis’ car for his November 20-23 visit does not have bulletproof glass.
According to a representative for Thailand’s Catholic mission, as reported by Khaosod English, the Pope sacrificed safety for the sake of proximity with the people.
“Yes, it’s dangerous, but he doesn’t want it because then he wouldn’t be close to the people who want to meet him,” said Valith Saengthong, an official at the Catholic Social Communications of Thailand.
Local police and Pontifical Swiss Guard will still protect the Pope, added Valith.
The report also said that the vehicle will bear Vatican City’s registration plate “SCV 1,” an abbreviation of the Latin “Status Civitatis Vaticanae” (Vatican City State).
Popemobiles were made bulletproof only after the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II.
Erratum: The Pinoy Legacy and other local media earlier reported that Pope Francis’ popemobile is an electric-powered Nissan. But according to an email from Nissan Thailand sent to Pinoy Legacy, popemobile is a locally produced Nissan Navara pick-up truck.
Pope Francis’ schedule for his Thailand visit | The Pinoy Legacy
- Hailstorm in Nan turns streets and houses white - March 14, 2023
- Tourism and Sports Minister to ask CCSA to end Thailand Pass - June 10, 2022
- PAL announces 81st anniversary seat sale for as low as P181 - March 20, 2022
