Pope takes old used car for trips inside Vatican
September 12, 2013
Pope Francis has accepted an old Renault, a gift from an Italian priest, and indicated that he will use it to drive himself around the Vatican.
Father Renzo Zocca, a priest from Verona, offered to give the Pope his own used car, a 1984 Renault that has logged over 185,000 miles. To his surprise the Pontiff accepted the gift, and the priest delivered the car, giving the Pope a test drive inside the Vatican walls.
"I think the pope will drive it a bit himself inside the Vatican," said Father Ciro Benedettini, the deputy director of the Vatican press office. The old car—the latest manifestation of the Pope’s desire for simplicity—is viewed with alarm by Vatican security officials.
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Further information:
- Pope Francis to drive his own "popemobile" inside Vatican City (Reuters)
- Pope Francis plans to drive used car around Vatican City by himself (Daily News
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