POPE FRANCIS’ RIDE A new popemobile to be used by Pope Francis during his visit is a takeoff from the jeepney, a symbol of Filipino ingenuity. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Catholic Church on Monday clarified that three vehicles will be used by Pope Francis when he visits the country on January 15 to 19.
Bishop Ruperto Santos, the official in charge of the pontiff’s transportation, said three popemobiles will be made available for Manila and Tacloban, as well as for backup.
“Our vehicles are ready. These have already been secured by the government,” he said in Filipino during a press briefing at the papal visit media and information headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.
He said two of the vehicles were made by local manufacturers and the other is from South Korea, the same one Pope Francis used for the World Youth Day in Seoul.
Santos said the vehicles were blessed by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle on January 5.
However, they could not reveal which one will be used in Manila or Tacloban.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer last week reported that one of the popemobiles was designed after the iconic jeepney.
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