Talk:Popemobile

Date confusion
The opening paragraph says that the first popemobile was a truck used by JP2 in Poland ( >= 1978 ). The second paragraph of History disagrees, mentioning the early 1900s, AND mentioning events in '64, '65, '70, and so on. AND, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mercedes-Benz_Typ_300_d_Landaulet_rear.jpg claims that John XXII used that thing, and he died in '63. So at a minimum, that first paragraph is wrong. --jholman (talk) 20:47, 11 March 2011 (UTC)

So, I thought exactly the same thing, but I see someone has already cited this problem years ago. Yet the article stands. Someone needs to either remove the "first" reference at the beginning, or at least get it to say something consistent with the other historical references to vehicles used.73.26.208.150 (talk) 16:21, 28 June 2015 (UTC)

Possible origin as joke?
I thought "popemobile" was something the writers of Not Necessarily the News made up. The first time I heard the term, it was during a comedy sketch (something along the lines of "Win a brand-new popemobile!"). This would have been around 1983 or 1984. I personally don't remember hearing the term used again until 20 or so years later, and it was in a mainstream news report! I certainly don't have any resources detailing the etymology of "popemobile" but I have a feeling it started out as a joke on "NNTN." -- Gyrofrog (talk) 05:03, 3 Apr 2005 (UTC)

OED original quote
1979 Irish Times 1 Oct. 10/1 "The Pope drove through the crowds in the specially constructed ‘Popemobile’."

So it clearly predates NNTN, and has a non-comical etymology.

Fiat in the picture but not mentioned in article
The article mentions a number of manufacturers who have built popemobiles but misses out Fiat, whose logo is clearly visible on the popemobile in the picture. I guess that makes it a papal fiat, boom boom.

Official Name??
Is Popemobile really the official name for this vehicle? It may be a common name, or an informal name (as wikipedia stated a few days ago), but I don't think it is the official name. I found several websites that state it is not an official name (and should be lower case) so I will correct it. --Rickscholz 00:51, 26 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Picture order
This is sort of trivial, but I'm not sure how to fix it: the pictures' captions do not match with their order; namely, the first picture's caption contains the word "another". Clarkefreak &#8734; 02:41, 27 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Pope John Paul II, Longtime Owner Of Popemobile, Dead At 84
VATICAN CITY—Pope John Paul II, who owned the Popemobile for more than a quarter of a century, passed away last Saturday. "The Popemobile was known the world over," said Peter Egan, a writer for Road & Track. "A fine example of European craftsmanship, the hand-built, 4.3 litre, V-8 powered, pearl-gray vehicle was exceptionally well-loved, even more so after the bulletproof bubble was added in 1981 to safeguard its passengers against assassination attempts. During the time he owned the Popemobile, John Paul II visited more than 120 countries. He loved the open road." The specially altered Mercedes-Benz ML-series off-road vehicle has been maintained by papal staff since the pope fell ill in August 2004. The pope's will is expected to grant its use to either the next pope or John Paul II's young cousin Zbigniew.

"Batmobile"
isn't a phrase. —tilde 18:42, 23 May 2006 (UTC)

Informal? Don't think so
I don't think it's a joke. If you look at italian TV they all call it the popemobile and I remember when JP2 came to my country all the news were calling it the popemobile.

Citation 3
doesn't actually cite the statement it follows. 70.43.199.66 06:15, 11 June 2007 (UTC)

License Plate
The license plate of the vehicle is SCV1. Does that have any meaning? Well it is Vatican plate. State of Vatican 1 ? 71.99.87.208 (talk) 18:23, 2 May 2010 (UTC)

Reference to the License Plate on Herb of DC blog
S.C.V. appears on the number plate of vehicles registered within Vatican City. S.C.V. is short for, Stato Citta' del Vaticano (Vatican City State). Evidently the locals of Rome have a different interpretation, ‘Se Christe vidice’, which interpreted means “If Christ could see”! The Pope's number plate reads SCV1. http://herbofdc.blogspot.com/2008/04/popemobile-license-number-scv1.html

My edits were removed, why? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.39.132.218 (talk) 16:58, 22 May 2008 (UTC)

Immunity?
"Many people have expressed the view that if the Pope is God's human representative on Earth he, the Pope , would be totally immune from harm thus eliminating the need for the glass. However, it was sometimes driven with open windows."?? Who are these alleged many people/citation? Sounds a bit ridiculous.
 * The idea that God's representative on earth shouldn't need an armored car sounds ridiculous to you? The idea that he does sounds ridiculous to me.  —Preceding unsigned comment added by 71.123.122.61 (talk) 16:49, 12 May 2009 (UTC)
 * Are you really that stupid? The Pope isn't God, he's not God on earth, he's merely the leadeer of the Catholic Church. I can't stand when people do that kind of thing. It's completely idiotic. The Pope is human, he's not God. He's not God's incarnate, he's not God on earth, he's not a Jesus relative, and he isn't Gof's representative! He's 100% mortal AND he sins like everyone else. Like all mortals with great signinifance, the Pope CAN get shot, the Pope CAN be a prime target for assainations, AND as a human he's going to need some human protection. Contrary to what you may think, God doesn't magically protect His followers from harm. He guides Christians away from things that may cause harm. Does that mean they're immune? No! Any believer in God can tell you that things happen that cause distress or pain. Christians get in car wrecks, preacers/pastors get road rage, the Pope has tripped over his vestments at one point in history. Bishops have heart attacks, choir leaders ger nauseous. Men of God aren't immune from the evils of the world. The Pope isn't, the preacher isn't, a Chrisitan is it, and I'm sure as heck that you aren't. Honestly... I am amazed how stupid some people can be. The Pope needs bodygaurds and armored cars becauase some people don't like God and they don't like His followers. I know that sounds shocking, but Jesus-haters and terrorists really DO try and attack the Pope and the Pope knows it. If you had a position of power, people will probaby try to kill you! Really! --TurtleShroom! :) NOODY BRANCH! Don't mess with farmers, SpongeBob. They know how to grow food. - Knowledge is power, grab it while you can. 21:09, 19 June 2009 (UTC)


 * There's really no need to rage like that. Looking at your userpage and taking your rant into account, perhaps this subject is a little too sensitive to you for you to be able to contribute effectively - let alone with "professional english."
 * There's no need to dish out insults in response to my rant. I was not in rage at the Pope or at theology, I was mad that someone would be that naive to think that a holy man gets divine protection from God himself. To be specific, my anger was directed at whoever it was who commented that someone in such a position of power should walk without protection because of their religion. Now, I apologize for any immaturity invoked above, but that sort of sheer ignorance annoys me. There is no reason to attack my grammar or use of English. Everyone mispells their words and makes mistakes in diction, and that should not affect your judgement of my use of the English language. I am far more accurate in writing when I am not at a keyboard; when online, I sometimes type so fast that I press the wrong key or hit the same key twice, etc. . As for the rant itself, I feel shame on how I handled it, and I should know better than to go off like that, but as for my beliefs, I hold no shame. --TurtleShroom! :) NOODY BRANCH! Don't mess with farmers, SpongeBob. They know how to grow food. - Knowledge is power, grab it while you can. 21:41, 15 December 2009 (UTC)


 * Well, yes and no of course. There is indeed a thoroughly Christian sentiment that a lightning rod on the top of a Church tower be an insult to God's protection. Then again there is the precept (!) of not tempting God. But that does not say that God's officeholders, or for that also saints and believers, are not protected by the Lord himself. That furthermore doesn't say that they cannot get harmed, be it as a punishment for a sin, be it as a protection for future sins, be it the honor of martyrdom, be it some reason we can know nothing about and God reserves in his Undisplorable Mind. Now that again doesn't say that God doesn't want his Church to prevent the unhappy event of a Pope's assasination. In religion some things are not easy. --77.4.42.137 (talk) 10:44, 26 January 2011 (UTC)

I would simply like to point out that it is simple valid logic that if God "supposedly" (for those that that object to my interpretation of this religious viewpoint) protected the likes of Daniel from lions and such, that God "supposedly" gave Jesus the opportunity to save himself from crucifixion and if God "supposedly" saved Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from fires of a Persian furnace, or even that the previous Pope did indeed survive (albeit barely) four gunshot wounds and lived (and forgave his would be assassin). It would stand to reason that his (Gods') "ordained prophet and high servant/priest on earth" (forgive my liberties if they aren't 100% accurate) would have nothing to fear on this earth and even if the pope was killed, this could be interpreted as "God's will". Like how it was "God's will" that the other prophets/priests/servants mentioned should not die, or in the case of Enoch, as another example, taken directly to heaven. As such it stands to reason, to reasonably question (based on precedent) why "Gods high priest and servant" would need security guards and Armour plated glass? Also Christians are also instructed (for those that believe in the Bible as historically given) to not fear death but welcome the opportunity to meet God. on a side note I think the lightning rod on church's is kind funny. Albeit illogical as churches didn't use to be made of materials that attracted lightning like modern structures do and originally natural easy access open air theaters were the preferred location for dissemination of God's word. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 65.29.241.144 (talk) 13:00, 16 June 2011 (UTC)

What A Contraption
This has to be the most ridicilous thing I've seen today, and believe me, I've seen lots of things. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.128.222.156 (talk) 20:09, 27 July 2008 (UTC)


 * compared to what? the tank-on-wheels the prsident drives around in? this lets the people see the Pope, and protects him. its useful. 24.228.24.97 (talk) 00:48, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Merger proposal
I propose that UMM Alter “Papamobile” be merged into this article. &mdash;Goodtimber (walk/talk) 02:28, 17 December 2008 (UTC)

I concur.Nbsno4 (talk) 02:54, 26 February 2009 (UTC)


 * Done. SQGibbon (talk) 20:58, 21 September 2010 (UTC)

Photo
The photo is such an american propaganda... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 190.43.191.168 (talk) 03:15, 27 March 2009 (UTC)

Seatbelt?
I would like to know if the Popemobile used in the United States is equipped with a seatbelt, as required by most state laws. --- W5WMW (talk) 00:26, 8 May 2009 (UTC)
 * I very much doubt the car is registered for use in normal traffic conditions as a popemobile. You don't need seat belts when riding on a parade float, either. Also, it is arguably "the back seat". --148.87.67.133 (talk) 21:31, 8 February 2010 (UTC)
 * I know it was an informal offhand comment but I would think that he'd be allowed by diplomatic privileges to do what he wants. 118.90.111.248 (talk) 09:26, 2 January 2010 (UTC)

Name
I think it is impertinent to refer to the vehicle as "Popemobile" when his Holiness himself reqeuested it be not referred to as such. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Flemmilu (talk • contribs) 22:13, 23 March 2010 (UTC) Would "pope transporter" be any better? "Pope utility vehicle"? "Pope wagon"? Try as I might, I just can't think of a convenient name that sounds reverential...
 * obvs. to be respectful it should be in Late Latin rather than some vulgar tongue like contemporary Italian ("papamobile"). How about quadriga pontifici? 98.180.8.57 (talk) 10:40, 28 April 2010 (UTC)

Or it simply could be reffered to what it is in the media and the sources provided. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 129.215.113.85 (talk) 11:27, 16 September 2010 (UTC) The information sheets sent out by the Vatican in advance of the UK visit currently ongoing called it the Popemobile. He needs to tell his own staff if he doesn't like it! Tim (Xevious) (talk) 18:33, 17 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Pope Benedict in his sermon, or was it the introductory address, on World Youth Day 1005 called it "the Papa car". Well I don't know if that's genuinely more dignified than Popemobile. --77.4.42.137 (talk) 10:46, 26 January 2011 (UTC)
 * probally a translation problem, cant really be helped. 24.228.24.97 (talk) 00:49, 18 February 2011 (UTC)

Pronunciation of Popemobile
I have found that pope-MOH-bile is an alternative pronunciation on most and a primary pronunciation on some dictionary and grammar websites. Also, I personally find pope-MUH-bile to be a lazy pronunciation, in addition to RUH-seen instead of RAY-seen. I move to allow both plausible pronunciations to stay. I also don't feel it is necessary to cite a source, as someone already added the kept pronunciation without one. I will be making this change in a matter of minutes, and if you have any criticisms, please leave them in the below list.


 * Support by creator  ~Lord Laitinen~ (talk)  21:40, 22 April 2016 (UTC)


 * Oppose You should support your claims with some citations. Alternative pronunciations are unnecessary, and just take up space. What you personally find to be lazy is immaterial. And, yes, unsourced material which has been challenged does, in fact, need to be sourced to be restored. Please read WP:CHALLENGE. You might find it valuable to read, along with the rest of Wikipedia's guidelines (like WP:NOTWEBHOST and WP:NPA)  Scr ★ pIron IV 22:08, 22 April 2016 (UTC)

Range Rover version?
Whilst working at the Land Rover factory in the early 80's I came across a popemobile-style vehicle in storage. I was told that it was the backup for another similar vehicle. I remember news reports showing the Leyland truck but is there any info on whether a Range Rover vehicle was actually used during the Pope's visit to the UK? Douglasson (talk) 18:38, 27 April 2017 (UTC)
 * yes, there was a Range Rover Popemobile used during the 1982 UK visit. This link shows an image of it being used in London. -- de Facto (talk). 06:33, 10 May 2017 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 01:42, 9 March 2021 (UTC)
 * Benedict XVI's Last Audience.jpg

Defiance!
The opening lines of paragraph 8 under "History" is quite hilarious with the defiance of the editors. No, no, it doesn't have to be changed. 😄 Waliyullah Tunde (talk) 11:52, 11 October 2021 (UTC)

Official name redux
Since it's been more than a decade since the above discussion on the name - and we've had a new Pope since then - is "Popemobile" indeed the official name for the vehicle or have they come up with something else? On a related note, when the president of the U.S. flies, the aircraft (doesn't matter what it is) is designated "Air Force One". Is there a similar arrangement when the Pope uses an aircraft? 23skidoo (talk) 20:09, 3 January 2023 (UTC)