World Youth Day 2013: Pope Francis Dumps Bulletproof Popemobile for Rio Trip
Pope Francis, who had earned a reputation for keeping his security detail on their toes whenever he goes out of the expected cordon sanitaire during events in Vatican, will be doing the same for his first international trip. On Wednesday, the Vatican announced this year's newly-installed spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic church had just dumped the idea of riding the ever famous bulletproof popemobile for his Rio de Janeiro, Brazil trip in observance of the World Youth Day 2013 festivities.
"He feels that for him, communicating directly with the people is better that way," Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told a news briefing. "He decided to do it this way because it is a continuity with the way he does it here."
Despite perceived security risks, Pope Francis, in his first trip to his native Latin America since going to Rome in February for the papal conclave and eventually coming out of it as the 266th pope and successor to Benedict XVI, will use the same open-top jeeps he has been using during general audiences in St. Peter's Square.
"So he can reach out and touch people."
This year's World Youth Day 2013 is scheduled from July 23-28. About two million faithful, mostly young Catholics from 170 countries around the world are expected to attend the event.
Read: Vatican Releases Pope Francis Itinerary for World Youth Day 2013 in Brazil
It is only during longer-distance drives while in Brazil that Pope Francis will use a closed car.
Public demonstrations are currently rocking the peace and order of Brazil, but Fr Lombardi believes these have nothing to do with the pope or the Church.
"We are going to Brazil with confidence in the authorities' ability to manage the situation," he said.
"We are going with much serenity," Father Lombardi added. "The message of the pope is one of solidarity with society and to encourage adequate development for all."
Introduced after Pope John Paul II was nearly killed on May 13, 1981 by Turkish gunman Mehmet Ali Agca, the Vatican has maintained a fleet of bullet-proof, glass-topped, air-conditioned vehicles. These are used whenever the pope travels outside Rome.
Since his installation in March, Pope Francis had eschewed the trappings associated with being an heir of St Peter's throne. He has chosen to live in the Vatican hotel rather than the elaborate, enclosed Apostolic Palace. He had shunned a more pompous installation rites for him when he took his oath as pope.
All these he did in order to be more attuned with the realities the ordinary folk face everyday.
Read more: Have Twitter, Follow Pope Francis, Receive Church Absolution, Pardon, Forgiveness from Sins During World Youth Day 2013, An Act of Many Firsts
