Pope requests Kia Soul as South Korean Popemobile

SEOUL , Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Pope Francis requested a small, South Korea-built car as he visited the country this week, and got one, a tiny Kia Soul.

While it is not the smallest car manufactured in South Korea, it is clearly no bulletproof limousine. The pope, when traveling, typically requests a small, locally made and mass-produced automobile to serve as his transportation, in order to reinforce his image as one with the common man. His predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, often rode in a Mercedes-Benz on ceremonial occasions and foreign trips.

Kia Motors Corp., part of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group, provided the car, painted blue, but did not release a statement regarding the pope's visit.

His visit to South Korea is the first by a pope in 25 years.