You can see a YouTube video of the black car that Pope Leo used this morning and he is chauffeured by sitting in the back seat rather than the front seat! View the video HERE!
As I reported this morning, Pope Leo met with all the Cardinals that are still in Rome and praised them and sees them as his closest collaborators. I would say that is another shift in papal attitudes and desires!
And then we have this!
This is copied from the Italian Newspaper, I’ll Messaggero along with the photo!
A Shift in Papal Symbols
Pope Leo XIV's choice of a black Volkswagen over a Fiat 500L marks a potential shift in papal symbolism and style.
A small detail that could mark a significant change: the day after the May 8 election, to return to his residence, Pope Leo XIV used a black Volkswagen instead of Bergoglio's 500L. No symbolic gesture of continuity with the modest style of his predecessor's cars. Could this be a step towards returning to Ratzinger's limousine? Other elements of rupture with Bergoglio. Appearing in St. Peter's Square, Prevost wore vestments never worn by Pope Francis. Also, the 'ferula', the pastoral staff with which Leo XIV officiated his first mass as Pope, is the one used by Benedict XVI; Francis preferred another, less precious, made of wood with silver decorations. Pope Francis had made simplicity and humility his distinctive trait, often choosing to move in a simple Italian car rather than in armored or representative cars. That gesture impressed not only the faithful but also world leaders. The Fiat 500 – white, with license plate SCV 1 – had become a symbolic element. The black Volkswagen – a Passat model, according to rumors – used by Prevost to return to his residence immediately after the election has been seen by many observers as a signal of discontinuity. A more formal, more austere vehicle, perhaps more in line with a return to a more institutional vision of the pontificate. Some speak of a possible return to the armored Mercedes M-Class used by Benedict XVI or to the limousine. For now, no official confirmation from the Vatican. But images of the black Volkswagen are already fueling curiosity and interpretations.
12 comments:
It's just a car though common sense would say to move about in the safest way possible. If that means armored, so be it.
I think we'll see common sense prevail as opposed to virtue signaling. Leo seems to be a sensible and decisive man.
As for the mozetta, it's one piece of fabric. The stole, germane to his vocation. Francis' pectoral cross, not my favorite, but, his choice. I never cared for the drooping ferula made for JPI (I believe) then adopted by JPII.
It wasn't bad, I had slight fondness towards it, just not really my style. Had Francis just put on one piece of fabric, it isn't even that heavy, all this churn would have been avoided with humility equal to that already modeled by Leo.
The droopy ferula was Paul VI’s. I never liked it then or now.
I think too, that because Pope Leo is an American, a larger target for assassination by various terrorist groups is much more magnified for him than for Francis or Benedict. Perhaps right up there with JPII!. I am sure that world leaders here and elsewhere as well at the Vatican are urging him to use the armored Mercedes Benedict used.
The Catholic world has been cooped up in a house with an insane uncle for 12yrs, and on getting out and meeting a sane normal man, reacts as if him a celestia visitor. Film at 11, or just read any and all current Catholic media.
Agree. Just common sense and responsible. JPII was never seemed quite right after the attempt on his life. I had wondered if that event precipitated his later issues. As a global figure, better to mitigate risk. Hopefully, the humble-seekers get this.
Bob,
You nailed it!
I feel like we're in the "springtime" never achieved post-VII and we're only a few days into receiving concrete statements accompanied by expected presentation.
Bob,
I hope you find your peace with all this. Many are healing to some extent. What was so concerning to me over the last 12 years was so well summarized by Cardinal Sarah: “I am afraid that we are tempted to build a human church, according to the times and according to our ideas. But the Church is not ours "
THIS is a very Eastern outlook.
I feel like I'm in a sugar addict's advanced tea leaves reading class....."Leo's belt pointed right, today, could it mean?....."Leo's car has Michelin sport tires!"...."Leo wore Egyptian cuffs but with French links!".
Thanks Bob for joining me, others and the entire Church in our exuberant jubilation! It’s a new day full of fresh air and the Light of Christ! Deo gratias!
I am as much ding dong the witch is dead as anybody, glad to be shed of a megolomaniac paranoid schizophenic emperor as anybody, and relieved beyond words to have again a sane pope....and it's about damned time, too...
But I am not going to be in his fan club talking new springtime, or new evangelization, or any other vapid praise phrase until it no longer empty words from an institution which has lost its way long before Bergoglio...
If Leo truly tries to turn things around more than just as a manager functionary, and pushes for truly getting back to the spiritual roots, rather than the Church purpose being a social services organization, while setting his own financial and moral house in order, I'll be the first to declare him a saint...
But pardon me for not jumping on the gushing praise prognostication bandwagon until he does. He will show himself a true pope not by his clothes or rite, but by what he does.
Bob,
I don't wish to deny you your experiences, or concerns.
"Thomas Sunday
Christ Is Risen! Truly He Is Risen!
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!
"Thomas answered him, 'My Lord and my God!' Jesus said to him, 'Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.'"
(John 20:19-31)"
Im not trying to create a false-equivalency here, yet this kept coming to mind as I reflected on your thoughts.
Rest easy, so much has happened during the pascal season, the Holy Spirit is speaking to us if we choose to hear. Don't worry about worldly managerial affairs, worry about that within your sphere. Be comforted by some of the reassuring indicators that have been provided and celebrate a little. We ARE the Easter people and we should trust that the Risen Lord through the Holy Spirit will sustain us and Christ's Church.
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