Pope Francis will ditch the bullet-proof "popemobile"
used by his predecessors on his visit to Brazil this
month and travel in an open-top jeep, the Vatican said
Wednesday.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi also dismissed
concerns ahead of the July 22-28 trip about the
demonstrations that have recently been rocking
Brazil.
"We are going to Brazil with confidence in the
authorities' ability to manage the situation," he said
at a briefing on the upcoming visit -- the pope's first
foreign trip since being elected in March.
"We know the demonstrations are not at all aimed at
the pope or the Church," Lombardi said.
More than a million young people from 170 countries
are expected for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil was shaken by a series of demonstrations in
June, mainly over the cost of public transport,
spending on 2014 World Cup and corruption.
"We are not currently expecting any inconveniences
for World Youth Day. Everyone will understand the
pope's message is a message of solidarity," Lombardi
said.
He also pointed out that the bullet-proof "popemobile"
of years past will be left in the Vatican and Francis will
instead use one of two open-top jeeps -- one white,
one green -- that have already been shipped out to
Rio.
"This is the pope's choice, in continuity with what he
is doing here. He feels better when there is contact"
with the crowd, Lombardi said.
The spokesman also gave further details about the
pope's programme including a helicopter trip to the
Marian sanctuary of Aparecida and his visit to the
Varginha favela in Rio where he will visit a family

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