Pope Francis arrived in S.korean requesting to use one of the smallest cars available in the country.

Korea is not without its domestic automobiles that would be suitable for transporting a visiting head of state: the Hyundai Equus comes to mind. Failing that, a Genesis sedan would do the trick. Maybe even a Kia K900 or a Renault Samsung SM7. But those familiar with Pope Francis and his taste in transportation won’t be surprised that His Holiness has chosen something decidedly more modest for his visit to South Korea.

Instead of a more luxurious sedan, the Bishop of Rome has elected to be driven in a Kia Soul, giving the high-roofed hatchback a bigger boost (in the Catholic world, at least) than any quantity of animated hamsters ever could.

The Soul, which was likely reinforced somewhat if the Swiss Guard got its way, was ready for the Holy Father upon his arrival. Francis slid into the back, rolled down the window and waved back at the welcoming party, including President Park Geun-hye. The Pope will reportedly be driven around in the Kia over the course of his five-day visit.

Francis has consistently elected to use decidedly less impressive forms of transportation than his predecessors. He was known to take the bus while serving as a cardinal in Argentina, and even when he’s needed a private car (now that he is, after all, the monarch of a sovereign city-state), he’s chosen a humble Ford Focus or a 20-year-old Fiat, and encouraged his followers to do the same.

This in contrast with the popes that have come before him, many of whom have been driven around in specially built Mercedes SUVs. Benedict received an electric Renault Kangoo from Carlos Ghosn, and while we’re sure he seldom (if ever) drove it, John Paul II received a Ferrari Enzo from Luca di Montezemolo and Michael Schumacher.
http://news.easybranches.com/pope-francis-chauffeured-around-korea-in-a-kia-soul/

Pope Francis, flanked by South Korean President Park Geun-hye, left, is welcomed by children wearing traditional costumes upon his arrival in Seoul, Thursday, Aug. 14

pope francis arrives south korea for 5 day visit

People wave and take photographs of Pope Francis' motorcade on a road leading to the presidential house in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Aug. 14,

Pope Francis waves from a car after his arrival in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Aug. 1

A sales assistant waits for customers next to TV sets broadcasting a report on Pope Francis' arrival, in Seoul

Kpop Celebrities Sing for the Pope


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_eDWV9eZ9E (sounds like igbo at first)

A group of artists and celebrities participated in the production of music video "Koinonia" in celebration of Pope Francis' visit.

Pope Francis, left, and South Korean President Park Geun-hye inspect an honor guard during a welcome ceremony at the presidential house in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Aug

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, right, talks with Pope Francis at the presidential Blue House in Seoul on Thursday, Aug. 14,

Pope Francis visits South Korea

A shopper takes a picture of statues of Pope Francis at a souvenir shop at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014

Statues of Pope Francis are displayed at a souvenir shop at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014.

A girl lights candles at Seoul’s Myeongdong Cathedral, where Pope Francis will visit during his upcoming trip. Newscom

Catholics in South Korea converted on their own, without the influence of missionaries

The Pope is due to visit South Korea's Catholic martyrs at Solmoe Shrine in Dangjin

painting depicts 103 Korean martyrs canonized in 1984. CNS photo

Francis at a shelter for homeless and disabled people in Eumseong on Saturday.

Children at the shelter known as Kkottongnae performed for Francis

Francis with a woman at the Kkottongnae center

Pope Francis blesses a child who is planned to be adopted by a family, during his visit to the rehabilitation center for disabled people at Kkottongnae in Eumseong, South Korea, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014.

Pope Francis Just Made a Powerful Anti-Abortion Statement without Saying Anything at All

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Pope Francis has generally avoided hot-button “culture war” issues like abortion, arguing that the church’s doctrine on the sanctity of life is well-known and that he’d rather emphasize other aspects of church teaching.

But he made a strong, albeit silent anti-abortion statement Saturday during his visit to South Korea, stopping to pray at a monument for aborted babies in a community dedicated to caring for people with the sort of severe genetic disabilities that are often used to justify abortions.
Image via Catholic News Agency/Twitter

Image via Catholic News Agency/Twitter

Francis bowed his head in prayer before the monument — a garden strewn with simple white wooden crosses — and spoke with an anti-abortion activist with no arms and no legs.

A train advert urging people to have more children, by infroming them that because of the extremely low birth rate children no loger know what a cousin is.

Proudly Catholic anytime anyday.

In this photo made with a fisheye lens, the faithful pack a sports stadium as they attend the Mass of Assumption of Mary conducted by Pope Francis, in Daejeon, south of Seoul, South Korea, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014

The feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Aug. 15, celebrates the belief that Mary was taken body and soul into heaven at the end of her life.
Pope says Mary is always near, helping the Church face its trials

Pope Francis blesses a Korean child during the "Mass of the Assumption of Mary" at Daejeon World Cup stadium in Daejeon, South Korea

A man wears a cap with picture of Pope Francis as he waits for his arrival to celebrate his first Korean Mass called the "Mass of the Assumption of Mary" at Daejeon World Cup stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, on August, 15, 2014.

Pope Francis celebrates his first Korean Mass called the Mass of the Assumption of Mary at Daejeon World Cup stadium in Daejeon, South Korea, on August, 15,

Pope Francis waves to crowd of well-wishers during the "Mass of the Assumption of Mary" at Daejeon World Cup stadium in Daejeon, South Korea

About 50,000 people attend the first Mass of Pope Francis called the Mass of the Assumption of Mary at Daejeon World Cup stadium in Daejeon, South Korea