[boatbums]

Saw this recently and thought you would be interested in it since our last discussion about the subject.

Popemobiles of the past and present

For over 80 years, Mercedes-Benz has been providing the Vatican with "popemobiles," extensively converted and customized vehicles that are used as official cars for the Holy Father.

(Think they got 'em all for free?)

[vladimir998]

I would not be surprised if every single one of them was free. I also wouldn’t worry one bit if they were not free. The pope needs a car in which he can be seen but will be safe.

[BlueDragon]

Thanks for the link. I'll confess to liking old cars. The newer version in the photo looks pretty good, too. Stylish, more nimble than past models, and with practical application, for many would wish to catch a glimpse of a pope. Unfortunately, for many it can be for the same sort reasons for wishing to catch sight of a U.S. President, the Queen of England or some lesser famed celebrity.

I don't have any problem with the vehicles, per se, nor problem that it likely(?) they have been given as gift. Donations or cash, would be perfectly acceptable as I doubt car manufacturers today use slave labor. A purpose built car, could be better than cash, in some ways.

Looking at it from a more purely business perspective, if the company chooses to pay workers to do a special one-off just to give away...since they are in the luxury car business, it could serve as an enduring form of advertising in one sense, while still be support for positive principles of ethics (which Christian Churches generally though perhaps imperfectly promote) in another sense.

Nonetheless, I still wonder what Peter would think of all the other finery.

He wouldn't have to just go along with it, for reason that the church built over his dead body "never errs" or had been kept by God totally free from any error, etc.

That latter sort of concept, if presented to him...I do think would invoke a face-palm maximus reflex in the guy.