Pope’s requestand open pope mobile, accessible to people

MANILA, Dec. 17, 2014 — Open-sided. Non-bullet proof. Non-air conditioned. This is how the pope mobile for the Pontiff’s Philippine visit will be — just as Pope Francis himself has requested. [The pope mobile is] open, meaning it has no air conditioning. If the people feel the heat while he is passing by, he will feel the same heat,” said Fr. Dave Concepcion, executive secretary for the transportation committee for Papal Visit 2015 during a media briefing yesterday, Dec. 16, at the Media and Information General Headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.According to the priest, the pope mobile’s design is an expression of compassion and unity with the country.Accessible popeAside from being highly symbolic of Pope Francis’ pastoral standpoint, the pope mobile’s design will allow him to hear what the people will shout to him during his motorcades along the streets of Metro Manila and Tacloban, and will allow him to stop anytime to talk to or touch someone in the crowd, as he is known to do, the priest revealed. It was intentionally made open-sided because the Holy Father wants to be accessible. He wants that if he sees [someone in particular] and he wants to stop, he can get down right away,” the priest explained.According to Concepcion, Pope Francis wants to use even the pope mobile’s design and practical features to show that he is not only vulnerable, but he listens and is accessible. [The pope mobile] is not bullet proof and is open. This means that the Holy Father is so vulnerable during his visit, which also shows how vulnerable our Church is,” he explained.Secret benefactorsWhile Concepcion admitted the pope mobile’s design poses a security nightmare”, quoting a security personnel’s words, he explained the said design is exactly what the Pontiff requested.Concepcion reported that the pope mobile is almost ready to hit the road with the Vatican’s security detail having made a recent inspection, recommending minor adjustments and additions to the final design.Other specific details about the pope mobile’s look, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, said, however, remains a surprise.”Concepcion also declined to reveal the identity of the pope mobile’s creators, saying they prefer to remain anonymous. [This was done] willingly, from the kindness of their hearts,” the priest said simply of the secret benefactors.Pope Francis is scheduled to make an Apostolic visit to the Philippines from Jan. 15 to 19, 2015.(CBCP News)