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• The Popemobile is a name given to any specially built car that allows the Pope to greet wellwishers as he passes by on parade routes on various papal visits, or around St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Since the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II as he rode in an open-air Popemobile, many of the cars have contained a bulletproof glass cab in the rear from where the Holy Father can see, but not touch, passersby.

• Fast Facts

  1. Mercedes-Benz began producing elaborate touring "Popemobiles" for the Holy Father in 1930
  2. Some Popemobiles remain in the host country until a Pope returns to visit
  3. Mexico has a reusable Popemobile called the "Papamovil"
  4. In 1982, a converted British Leyland 24-ton truck used as a Popemobile in Britain sold for over $70,000 at auction in 2006
  5. Pope Benedict VI does not always use the bullet-proof glass version during his public appearances
  6. In 2007, a disturbed 27-year old German man tried to jump into the Popemobile
  7. During his 2008 visit, the Popemobile was banned from the playing field at Yankee Stadium

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Vatican City | Pope Benedict XVI | Italy | Mercedes-Benz

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