John Paul's driving machines fine-tuned

ROME -- Among the iconic images of Pope John Paul II were scenes of him smiling and waving to the faithful from behind the bulletproof glass of the popemobile during his many travels around the world.

The first model, made especially for John Paul by Mercedes-Benz, was a white, gold-rimmed, 1982 230 G-class. The company continued updating the popemobile throughout John Paul's 26-year papacy.

As the cardinals convene to select a new pontiff, the Vatican garage is fine-tuning the popemobiles, along with other vehicles in the papal fleet.

''These cars were made interesting because the pope used them," said Bruno Rotoni, chief of the Vatican City State garage. ''They are not for one person, they are for the pontificate."

Strolling through the garage, Rotoni showcased some of the other vehicles the future pontiff will inherit, which include two twin 1986 Mercedes limousines and a 1978 Volkswagen beetle. A white Chevrolet pickup, in the corner of the garage, made Rotoni shudder.

''We only use that once a year," he said, rushing past.

Every June, John Paul sat in the back of a canopied truck on the feast of Corpus Christi to take the Eucharist from St. John Lateran to St. Mary Major.

''Pope John Paul wasn't interested in what car he was in. The car only served to move him," Rotoni said.

Karol Wojtyla traveled internationally more than any of his predecessors. By the end of his pontificate, he had visited more than 100 countries. And when the pope crossed borders and even oceans, Rotoni said his popemobiles went, too, following the pontiff's course in a Hercules military airplane or by cargo ship.

Since John Paul's death on April 2, the Vatican garage's outdoor car wash has been spinning, and mechanics have had their heads under the hoods of the papal limos, vans, and popemobiles. There is no doubt, they say, that the next man to ascend to the throne of St. Peter will use the popemobile as well.

''I am sure it will be used for the next pope," said Mauro Zuccetti, mechanical engineer for the Holy See. ''He will have to go out into St. Peter's Square after he is chosen and wave to the faithful."

John Paul's first popemobile was created out of necessity. On May 13, 1981, Mehmet Ali Agca shot John Paul while he was riding in his open-air, Fiat Campagnola jeep in St. Peter's Square, inflicting a nearly fatal wound.

Mercedes-Benz is credited with producing the vehicle that allowed the pope to travel in safety, as close to adoring crowds as possible. But according to Rotoni, the first popemobile was actually a Bianchi Tipo 15 and the first car-driven pope was Pius XI, who was elected in February 1922.

Rotoni said John Paul, whose cars were outfitted by necessity with remote-control wheelchair lifts, otherwise had no desire for gadgets.

In the papal garage, where John Paul's portrait still hangs, a 1986 black Mercedes sits with its hood open for a tuneup and a new papal crest. When asked whether John Paul's seals have been removed, Rotoni was firm. ''We have to wait out of respect until the next pontificate," he said.