No bulletproof popemobiles for Pope Francis during PHL visit

Pope Francis will use two popemobiles during his five-day visit to the Philippines in January, and both of them will not be bulletproof, Philippine church officials said Tuesday.

At a press briefing in Manila, Fr. David Concepcion, head of the transportation committee for the visit, said they acknowledge the vulnerability of the Pope because of this request, adding that it was a symbol of his compassion towards the people.

"[Ang popemobile] ay hindi bulletproof at bukas, kaya napaka-vulnerable ng Santo Papa sa kaniyang pagbisita," Concepcion said. "Ito ay simbolo ng kaniyang pakikiramay at pakikidaumpalad."

Two popemobiles have been made for the visit, one for Manila and one for Typhoon Yolanda-hit Leyte, where Pope Francis will spend most of his third day in the country on January 17.

"We prepared two popemobiles. Kung isa lang, wala nang time to transport it to Tacloban," Concepcion said.

He added that Vatican representatives have inspected the vehicles and requested certain changes.

As to the popemobiles' design, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle said it would be a "surprise."

Concepcion said: "Basta ito ay puti at bukas."

He declined to identify the maker of the vehicles, who he said asked not to be named.

The Pope requested for open vehicles, officials said, noting his preference to interact with the crowds that gather at his presence.

Concepcion said open popemobiles will enable him to hear the people's cheers and shoutouts during motorcades.

It will also be easier for the Pope to physically reach out to the people, a noted practice since he took helm of the Catholic Church.  —KBK, GMA News