Pope trip: Popemobile en route to U.S., will arrive by early April

Where the Popemobile goes, the Pope follows.

.... and the popemobile is on its way!

While Pope Benedict XVI probably has not begun packing his bags for his April 15-20 trip to the United States, one big Vatican package was prepared just after Easter.

The white, 2002 Mercedes-Benz popemobile has left the Vatican and will be delivered by an air cargo company in the first days of April, said Alberto Gasbarri, the chief organizer of papal trips. (CNS)

The Vatican currently has three popemobiles. The specifications for the one the pope will use in America:

A modified version of the Mercedes-Benz ML430 off-road vehicle. Its "glass" top is a cube made of advanced, bulletproof plastic and the vehicle features a high seat so the pope can still be visible.

Here is a picture of the pope using this model during his trip to Brazil (with the window down!).

A little backstory:

An official in the Vatican motor pool said there really was not a choice to make between the two ML430s since "one is in the repair shop."

Mercedes-Benz originally delivered one of the vehicles with a "mother of pearl" tint, but the Vatican decided it was too gray, and so repainted it, the motor pool official said.

Related previous posts:

• 3/17/08: "Popemobile routes for upcoming U.S. visit revealed"
• 12/6/07: "Photos: New Mercedes-Benz Popemobile debuts" (Vatican-use only)
• 11/26/06: "Popemobile gives way to armoured car on visit to 'minefield'"

[photo: AP Photo/Victor Caivano, File]