By Louis Jadwong @jadwong & Agencies
Isuzu Kenya has posted on its official Facebook page, images of what it says will be Pope Francis' Popemobile when he starts his African tour.
It is open-roofed, and Isuzu Kenya said "...this time around, the Popemobile is based on the Isuzu D-Max." The Philippines-built car was first used by the Pope on his visit to the Philippines early this year.
The popemobile (Italian Papamobile) is a formal name for the specially designed motor vehicles used by the Pope during outdoor public appearances.
"The Isuzu D-Max popemobile was designed with the security and comfort of Pope Francis in mind. The double-cab was customised for the pope’s chair and additional seats for his companions. A shield made of plexiglass was placed in front to protect the pope from the elements" Isuzu Kenya said in its post last night.
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See new and old photographs of a similar custom made Pope mobile to be used by Pope Francis during his tour of Africa, as posted on facebook by Isuzu Kenya
"Sturdy railings were attached to the sides of the vehicle for the pope and his security personnel to hold on to while in transit. The pope’s emblem emblazoned with a banig design adds a Filipino touch to the car. The chair is made from Italian leather with red carpet imported from Italy."
The International Business Times quoted a Vatican official as saying that despite security concerns, Pope Francis does not plan to wear a bulletproof vest or travel in an armored vehicle during his six-day, three-nation tour of Africa. In fact, the 78-year-old pontiff will ride in an open-topped popemobile while visiting Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic, the Vatican said.
It could not be immediately established if the same car will be used in Uganda and CAR as well.
LIVE STREAM WHEN POPE ARRIVES NAIROBI
Pope Francis leaves Rome at 9.45am today and is expected in Nairobi at 5pm. He will travel to Uganda on Friday and then to Central African Republic on Sunday.
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Pope Francis @Pontifex was expected to tweet before he left Rome. He instead tweeted an hour and a half before arriving Nairobi (see below)
POPE MESSAGE delivered to Uganda and Kenya on SUNDAY
Is this the PapaMobile for his visit to Africa?
