:smile:
Who needs a Popemobile? Francis shuns his personal helicopter and takes the train to Mass in Korea
He has built a reputation for his down-to-earth style and has no patience for pomp.
But even so, Pope Francis surprised hundreds of ordinary commuters when he took public transport to celebrate a Mass in Korea where he is on a five day visit.
The pope scrapped his plans to take a helicopter from Seoul to his first public Mass instead taking a local train to Daejeon, where he held a service at a football stadium in the city.
Francis was seen riding in the fourth car of the train, in first-class, while another 500 people were on board, Korean media reported.
The last-minute change in plans was on account of bad weather, according to organisers of the visit.
Spokesman Hur Young-yup told Yonhap news agency: 'The helicopter is his default means of transit because it is fast and safe, but the pontiff also considers other options, like the train, if taking them would allow him to arrive on schedule.'
Pope Francis' pared back humble demeanour has taken locals in status-conscious, ostentatious, Korea by surprise.
more
Pope Francis shuns helicopter and takes the train to Mass in Korea | Mail Online
Who needs a Popemobile? Francis shuns his personal helicopter and takes the train to Mass in Korea
- Pope Francis took train to Daejeon, where he led service at football stadium
- He was seen in fourth car of train in first-class, with 500 other passengers
- Had already refused a Popemobile and arrived from airport in black Kia Soul
He has built a reputation for his down-to-earth style and has no patience for pomp.
But even so, Pope Francis surprised hundreds of ordinary commuters when he took public transport to celebrate a Mass in Korea where he is on a five day visit.
The pope scrapped his plans to take a helicopter from Seoul to his first public Mass instead taking a local train to Daejeon, where he held a service at a football stadium in the city.
Francis was seen riding in the fourth car of the train, in first-class, while another 500 people were on board, Korean media reported.
The last-minute change in plans was on account of bad weather, according to organisers of the visit.
Spokesman Hur Young-yup told Yonhap news agency: 'The helicopter is his default means of transit because it is fast and safe, but the pontiff also considers other options, like the train, if taking them would allow him to arrive on schedule.'
Pope Francis' pared back humble demeanour has taken locals in status-conscious, ostentatious, Korea by surprise.
more
Pope Francis shuns helicopter and takes the train to Mass in Korea | Mail Online
