Pope rides Kia Soul, Hyundai Santa Fe during South Korea visit

Pope Francis waves from a car after his arrival in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. As Francis became the first pope in 25 years to visit South Korea on Thursday, Seoul’s never-timid rival, North Korea, made its presence felt by firing three short-range projectiles less than an hour before he arrived, officials said. (AP Photo/Yonhap, Lim Hun-jung)

The ‘Popemobile’ designation is like ‘Air Force One’—it applies to whichever car the Pope chooses to use. For his recent trip to South Korea, Pope Francis used appropriately local car choices: a Kia Soul and a Hyundai Santa Fe.

Pope Francis’ choice of wheels during his five-day South Korean visit has surprised many in this painfully self-conscious country, where big shots rarely hit the streets in anything but expensive luxury cars.

After his arrival on Thursday, the Pope left the airport in a compact black Kia that many South Koreans would consider too humble a conveyance for a globally powerful figure.

In a live television broadcast, the Pope climbed into the backseat of the boxy Kia Soul, rolled down the window and waved. Surrounded by a few bigger black sedans, the Pope’s compact car headed toward Seoul.

The Pope used the South Korean cars, apparently standard non-armored vehicles, as transportation during his visit. The Kia Soul was a dark gray car, and the Hyundai Santa Fe was a white unit. A key event of his trip was a Mass to beatify 124 martyrs. In Seoul, a massive crowd estimated at 800,000 gathered at a long, broad avenue that runs perpendicular to the landmark Gwanghwamun Gate.

The images of the smiling Pope in his little car struck a chord online, with many playing on the car’s name.

One South Korean user tweeted: “The Pope rode the Soul because he is full of soul.”

Funky design

South Korean media widely reported that the Pope requested the smallest South Korean car during his visit. The Soul is Kia’s second-smallest model and reportedly provides more leg room than other compact cars.

Though not everyone loves the Soul’s funky design, it appeals to a niche of young, practical drivers. It has never, however, been a car of the rich and powerful.

Already bubbling with excitement for the first papal visit in 25 years, South Koreans appeared fascinated by the humble papal car.

“I feel honored that Pope Francis will not be in a bulletproof vehicle,” said Shon Cho-eun, a 22-year-old Christian student. “I hope he arrives safely and delivers good messages to us.”
Cars previously used by Pope Francis include a Ford Focus in Rome and a Fiat hatchback in Brazil. Francis, called “The People’s Pope,” has eschewed using luxury transportation, saying, “It hurts me when I see a priest or nun with the latest-model car. A car is necessary to do a lot of work, but, please, choose a more humble one. If you like the fancy one, just think about how many children are dying of hunger in the world.” Previous popes have used Mercedes-Benz Pullman limousines, M and G-Class SUVs, and a Range Rover. He has even been known to prefer public transportation, riding buses even after his proclamation as Pope.

Pope Francis gets in a car as South Korean President Park Geun-hye, center, smiles upon his arrival at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, South Korea, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. AP PHOTO/AHN YOUNG-JOON

Francis’ frugality and humble demeanor have received wide coverage in South Korea, a fiercely competitive country that celebrates ostentatious displays of status and wealth. This national trait can be seen in a boom in such industries as private tutoring and plastic surgery.

For Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Manila and Leyte in January 2015, the local church will provide the Popemobile. The model of vehicle has not been disclosed. Archibshop John Du of Palo anticipates the possibility that Francis will go down from his Popemobile to interact with the poor.

With report from Ador S. Mayol and inquirer.net