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Origins of the Popemobile
CNA ^ | April 16, 2008

Posted on 04/16/2008 1:26:50 PM PDT by NYer

Washington DC, Apr 16, 2008 / 07:05 am (CNA).- The most recognizable vehicle in Washington, D.C. this week will most likely be the, “Popemobile”. The term is affectionately applied to the protective glass enclosed Mercedes-Benz that takes the Holy Father from one event to another during his pastoral journeys.

The Popemobile originated during the pontificate of John Paul II as a manner to provide the most visibility while maintaining safety for the Pope during his apostolic visits. The vehicle is encased with protective glass, which has a capability of protecting the Holy Father from any attempt to harm him physically with bullets or perhaps a bomb. The cabin of the Popemobile is climate controlled and has just one solitary seat…from which the Pope greets faithful crowds all over the world.

Protecting the Pope is the responsibility of the United States Secret Service while he is in the U.S. Members of the Papal Swiss Guards and Italian Cabinieri also lend support to the security detail when the Holy Father travels outside of the Vatican.

The Popemobile is actually manufactured by various auto companies. The vehicle being used during the visit to Washington, D.C. and New York is made especially for the Pope by Mercedes-Benz. The papal fleet contains three popemobiles and they are always shipped ahead of the Pope’s foreign trips whenever he leaves Vatican City.

Pope Benedict XVI will use the Popemobile three times in Washington D.C. and once in New York.


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; History
KEYWORDS: benedictxvi; dc; ny; popemobile
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Pope Benedict XVI waves from the popemobile as he drives in front of the White House in Washington, April 16, 2008. (Jim Young/Reuters)

1 posted on 04/16/2008 1:26:50 PM PDT by NYer
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To: NYer

Another legacy of communism.


2 posted on 04/16/2008 1:28:32 PM PDT by KC_Conspirator
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To: Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding; nickcarraway; Romulus; ...

Pope Benedict XVI waves from his Popemobile as he travels down Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House in Washington, April 16, 2008. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES)


3 posted on 04/16/2008 1:28:55 PM PDT by NYer ("Where the bishop is present, there is the Catholic Church" - Ignatius of Antioch)
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To: NYer

4 posted on 04/16/2008 1:31:47 PM PDT by kingattax (99 % of liberals give the rest a bad name)
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To: NYer

I actually seen it today as it was driving around DuPont Circle in DC, thought that was pretty cool.


5 posted on 04/16/2008 1:33:18 PM PDT by Raymann
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To: NYer

6 posted on 04/16/2008 1:40:25 PM PDT by freedomlover (Make sure you're in love - before you move in the heavy stuff)
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To: NYer

Wouldn’t want to go on Faith and pray for protection before going out. Is he scared to die and go to Heaven? Don’t see Billy Grahm protected by glass when he’s preaching.


7 posted on 04/16/2008 1:46:38 PM PDT by Married with Children
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To: Married with Children

At the same time, you also do not put the Lord your God to the test.


8 posted on 04/16/2008 1:50:16 PM PDT by Pyro7480 ("Jesu, Jesu, Jesu, esto mihi Jesus" -St. Ralph Sherwin's last words at Tyburn)
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To: freedomlover

Nice montage, the one of John Paul II in the “mini-mobile”(?) is cute.
Does Hooters really have their own version? Now I’m going to have nightmares of the Pope getting into that one by mistake...


9 posted on 04/16/2008 1:56:08 PM PDT by PandaRosaMishima (she who tends the Nightunicorn; who is glosser of Titanic's wings)
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To: Married with Children

The pope’s not preachin’ while he’s rollin’.


10 posted on 04/16/2008 1:56:50 PM PDT by Carpe Cerevisi
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To: Married with Children

And exactly how many times was Billy Graham shot???


11 posted on 04/16/2008 2:01:01 PM PDT by Mr Inviso
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To: NYer

Pope Mobiles are paid for by the Knights of Columbus!


12 posted on 04/16/2008 2:02:21 PM PDT by tempe (Dick Lugar, Indiana's homegrown traitor!)
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Comment #13 Removed by Moderator

To: The_Republican
So let's see, I think the point of your ignorant, troll-bait cartoon is, not having sex with women made these homos want to have sex with boys? Is that accurate, Einstein?

Pray tell, how long could you go without hetero sex before you turned to young boys?

Here's my answer - FOREVER!

14 posted on 04/16/2008 2:26:29 PM PDT by safeasthebanks ("The most rewarding part, was when he gave me my money!" - Dr. Nick)
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To: safeasthebanks

You know a lot about the subject. LOL!

Its just a cartoon. Take your meds.


15 posted on 04/16/2008 2:45:12 PM PDT by The_Republican (Ovaries of the World Unite! Rush, Laura, Ann, Greta - Time for the Ovulation!)
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To: The_Republican

Yeah, a cartoon that got pulled - DWEEB!


16 posted on 04/16/2008 2:57:46 PM PDT by safeasthebanks ("The most rewarding part, was when he gave me my money!" - Dr. Nick)
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To: safeasthebanks

Good. Its better than listening to you squeal.


17 posted on 04/16/2008 3:38:46 PM PDT by The_Republican (Ovaries of the World Unite! Rush, Laura, Ann, Greta - Time for the Ovulation!)
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Comment #18 Removed by Moderator

To: NYer
The Pope rocks.

...and rolls!

19 posted on 04/16/2008 8:06:18 PM PDT by the invisib1e hand ( If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you...)
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To: The_Republican; safeasthebanks

Discuss the issues all you want, but do not make it personal. Click on my profile page for more guidelines pertaining to the Religion Forum.


20 posted on 04/16/2008 9:33:42 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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