IT'S AS synonymous with the Pope's image as Air Force One is to the US President. The Popemobile, the recognisable white armour-plated vehicle, arrives in Sydney this evening after being shipped from Rome via Amsterdam, a sure sign the spiritual leader of the world's Catholics is soon to follow.
Pope Benedict's wheels for his historic visit to Australia is no ordinary car. It's a specially modified, custom built Mercedes-Benz M-Class two-door sports utility vehicle.
It weighs four tonnes, three times the weight of a medium-sized family sedan.
Given Australia's wintry conditions, the Vatican has selected the all-weather version for the Pope's visit.
It comes with a glass enclosure featuring bulletproof windows, doors and roof to protect the pontiff from all sorts of threats, ranging from the crush of fervent devotees to assassins.
There is enough room for two security officials to sit by his side.
The octogenarian pontiff will have the option of standing or sitting in a chair, normally upholstered in white leather, that can be raised so he is more visible to crowds. It boasts a full climate-control system to ensure the pontiff doesn't get too hot or cold. It also has a CD player.
Once the Popemobile rolls off a commercial flight this evening, it will be handed over to a logistics company and to the police to conduct training exercises. The Vatican insists there will be no photos and no sneak peeks.
A spokesman for World Youth Day, Jim Hanna, said: "The arrival of the Popemobile is one of the strongest tangible signs that Australia is in for a papal visit. That and the early arrival of thousands of pilgrims into Sydney over the past few weeks."
The Pope will be making at least two public appearances in the Popemobile on his visit. On July 17 he will be driven from the Hungry Mile to the Opera House, then on to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Art Gallery Road, The Domain and Hospital Road before heading up Prince Albert Road to St Mary's Cathedral.
On July 20, the day of the closing Mass, the Popemobile will do a circuit of Centennial Park before the pontiff is driven to Randwick Racecourse.
The Popemobile is designed to travel at slow speeds so its occupant can interact with adoring crowds thronging the roadside, but it can also make a speedy getaway if necessary.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce