Vatican Gets New Popemobile

New dome said to be higher, roomier than old model

By Newser Editors and Wire Services

Posted Dec 7, 2012 11:12 AM CST

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Vatican Gets a New Popemobile — Pope Benedict XVI waves from his popemobile on his way to the airport during his departure from Havana, Cuba, Wednesday March 28, 2012. (AP Photo/Alejandro Ernesto,Pool)

German automaker Daimler says it has delivered Pope Benedict XVI his new popemobile—a customized Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV with special security features. The company says the new car was delivered today to the Vatican and people should be able to see the pope riding in it tomorrow in Rome during a celebration at the Spanish Steps.

Compared with the previous vehicle, a modified M-Class from 2002, Mercedes has extended the dome significantly to give the pope more room and easier entry. Larger glass panels and better illumination also aim to make the pontiff more visible to crowds. Daimler says the white-painted vehicle's central interior design feature is a "throne" embroidered with the pontiff's coat of arms. The automaker declined to detail the vehicle's "spectrum" of security features.

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