Pope to ride open, 'vulnerable' vehicle in Philippines
Pope Francis has asked to ride an open vehicle when he visits the Philippines next month, making him both "vulnerable" but more accessible to the people, the Filipino Catholic Church said Tuesday, according to AFP.
The government announced last month a custom-built "popemobile" would be built in coordination with Vatican security to protect him from unspecific threats during his January trip to Asia's Catholic bastion.
However, Filipino church officials revealed Tuesday the vehicle will be open and "not bulletproof" to accommodate the demands of the visiting church leader.
"What this means is our Holy Father will be very vulnerable during his visit," said Father David Concepcion, a member of a church committee preparing for the papal visit.
Francis is to arrive in Manila from Sri Lanka on January 15 and spend an entire day on January 17 hearing mass and comforting victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan in Tacloban city and Palo town on the central island of Leyte.