An Italian priest has given Pope Francis a 20-year-old white Renault 4 to drive himself around Vatican city.

The car - which has 300,000 km (190,000 miles) on the clock - was presented to the Pope by Father Renzo Zocca at the weekend. The pontiff later drove it.

Known for his humble lifestyle, Francis said he used to drive the same car in his native Argentina.

In a bid to encourage austerity in the Church, the Pope has urged officials to avoid using expensive limousines.

Father Zocca said he was moved by the Pope's effort to create "a Church for the poor", and told the Italian magazine Famiglia Cristiana that he wanted to give him a gift.

"What better than my old Renault 4?" he asked.

Father Zocca said he was surprised to receive a phone call from the pontiff accepting the gift.

The priest turned up at his Vatican residence on Saturday to present the car.

The BBC's David Willey in Rome says the Pope's bodyguards were amazed when he took the keys and drove off.

Eledan: If any church member "sowed" this type of "seed" into the church....such member will be summarily exorcised from the church for having evil spirit

eye4eye: Show this to Nigerian conmen called "pastors".

Eledan: If any church member "sowed" this type of "seed" into the church....such member will be summarily exorcised from the church for having evil spirit

colombiana: Till tomorow I go still yarn say catholic is the only church the others na business venture. For all of u that want to attack my post i think it wud be a waste of time if u and ur family members avnt givin ur 1b naira for ur auditorium

Confusionist: u are more like a gay-venture!
Idol worshippers and hypocrite!

Who will reject such an offer wen the world will be watching?