Pope uses Kia popemobile in Tacloban

**rollyic** · January 17th, 2015 01:09 PM

MANILA, Philippines - Pope Francis is using a different kind of popemobile for his visit in Tacloban, Saturday.

This particular popemobile is a customized vehicle by South Korean carmaker Kia Motors, which was sent over for the Pope's use during his Tacloban visit.

The vehicle was used by the Pope during the 6th Asian Youth Day in Haemi, South Korea in August 2014.

The popemobile sported the Status Civitatis Vaticanae-1 (SCV 1) license plate.

Pope Francis rides in his Korean "Popemobile" during the 6th Asian Youth Day in Haemi, South Korea last August 2014. Photo by Vincenzo Pinto, AFP
Despite rains and strong winds, tens of thousands of people gathered near Tacloban airport to attend the Pope's mass.

Pope Francis had earlier used a customized Isuzu D-Max popemobile in Manila. Another jeepney-inspired popemobile by Francisco Motors has yet to be used.

On Friday morning, he also used a low-key Volkswagen Touran, which was donated by Ayala Auto.

In South Korea, the Pope surprised many Koreans when he used a small Kia Soul vehicle. He reportedly requested for a small, South Korea-built car to be used for his visit to Seoul.

The Supreme Pontiff is known for using low-key vehicles during official visits, often requesting for small, locally-made and mass-produced vehicles. In July 2013, he used a Fiat hatchback during a visit to Brazil.