VATICAN CITY
Inquirer (Philippines)
VATICAN CITY—Newly-elected Pope Francis shunned the special chauffeur-driven “Vatican One” limousine after being picked as pontiff, the Vatican said on Thursday.
“Instead of the formal Vatican One car he preferred to take the minibus with the other cardinals,” Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.
The new pope then dined with the cardinals in a Vatican residence where he thanked them for electing him but then quipped: “God forgive you for what you’ve done!”
The former Argentinian cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio — the first Latin American pontiff — has a reputation as a humble pastor who has shunned many of the perks associated with high office in the Catholic Church.
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