If you abide by the idea that the Pope is really just a normal dude who gets to wear a robe everyday, then the news that he has augmented his predecessor's special Mercedes parade car with a Hyundai is, well, not really news. But c'mon, people, this is the Pope, the leader of the Catholic church, globally recognized public figure, and all-around guy you wouldn't expect to make risk-fraught public appearances in an open-topped vehicle.
In fact, it's a lot like the old vehicles the Pope rode around in decades ago.
More recent Popemobiles have gained the that nickname largely because, well, they looked like normal cars with a bullet-glass Pope display case mounted on the back. This new alfresco vehicle suits this Pope, however, who has made a point of appearing—and actually acting—humble in order to better connect with his flock. It doesn't get much more down to Earth than a Hyundai, and you have to give Pope Francis some credit for his pragmatism: The warranty on that thing may just carry over to the next pontiff.
This article originally appeared on MSN.
