No doubt much to the delight of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles'
Sergio Marchionne, the Vatican recently announced that Pope Francis
would use a modified Jeep Wrangler to serve as the popemobile for
his upcoming U.S. visit September 22 to 27. Pope Francis
will visit New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
In years past (but as recently as 1978), the primary mode of
public transport for popes was the sedia gestatoria, which was a
chair carried on the shoulders of papal attendants. Although
popemobiles have existed since 1930 (from 1870 to 1929, popes
refused to leave the Vatican at all!), popemobiles were usually
luxury brand vehicles. However, the choice of a Jeep Wrangler to
serve as the popemobile for Pope Francis is not surprising when one
considers that Pope Francis, who is the first citizen from the
Americas, first non-European and first Jesuit priest to be named
pope, chose the name Francis in part because he was believed to be
a man of peace and a man of poverty.
