Benedict's bulletproof vans hidden for safety

THEY are a key part of any papal visit and there will be two of them when his Holiness comes to Britain next week.

• The two bulletproof Popemobiles being used by Pope Benedict XVI while he is in the UK travelled here by road and are being kept in two secret locations Picture: AFP

They are, of course, the Popemobiles, first used by Pope John Paul during his many overseas trips and remembered fondly by those who saw them during the last papal visit to Scotland in 1982.

While on British soil, Pope Benedict XVI will travel in two Popemobiles, which arrived in Britain over the weekend from the Vatican City and are being stored in two secret locations.

One of the vehicles will be used in Scotland and Birmingham while the other will remain in London.

• First Minister to join crowds for Mass in the park

The 75,000 Popemobile is designed to give a full and clear 360-degree view of the Pope to the huge crowds that are expected to gather for his appearances in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Birmingham.

Dr Alberto Gasbarri, who is in charge of organising all the Pope's trips, said: "The Holy See has two Popemobiles, but there are others scattered around the world.

"The two for this trip were sent to Britain in a secure container by road and are currently in a secret location.

"Both of them use green petrol and the driver will be British and chosen by the local authorities in Britain.

"He will have to be a competent driver and he will get a chance to accustom himself to the Popemobile."

Dr Gasbarri added: "Each Popemobile has about 5,000km on the clock, which for an eight-year-old car is not bad at all, and they are in perfect pristine condition and are serviced regularly."

The Popemobile has moved on significantly since Pope John Paul II sat out in the open on the back of a lorry while on a visit to his native Poland more than 30 years ago.

Today the Vatican garage has an array of Popemobiles, kitted out depending on the security situation in the country being visited.

If the venue is viewed as safe, then an open vehicle is sometimes used.

If safety is a concern, then a Popemobile with bulletproof windows and doors is used. During a trip to Turkey in 2006, however, security was so tight that Pope Benedict travelled everywhere in a blacked-out limousine.

A converted Ford Transit van that was one of two vehicles used during Pope John Paul II's visit to Britain in 1982 was sold at auction four years ago for 37,000.

The van had 11,000 miles on the clock and was said to be in "excellent condition". It was used by the Pope to travel to Bellahouston Park in Glasgow and Murrayfield in Edinburgh, celebrating a Mass for more than 300,000 people.In 2002, John Paul II requested that the media stop referring to the cars as Popemobiles, saying that the term was "undignified".

The car that will be used during this visit is a modified Mercedes-Benz M-Class petrol, sport utility vehicle, with a special glass-enclosed cabin built into its back.

The Pope enters through a rear door and climbs several steps. After he sits in his chair, it is elevated into the glass upper level by a hydraulic lift, allowing him to be more easily seen.

In addition to the driver, there is room for one passenger (usually a security agent) in the front of the vehicle.

The glass-enclosed rear of the vehicle also has room for two papal aides, who can sit in the area in front of the Pope's elevated chair.

The vehicle's security features include bulletproof windows and roof, and reinforced, armoured side panels and chassis. It has a top speed of 99mph, but while in Britain will be driven at a more sedate 6mph.

Another feature of the papal visit also emerged yesterday, as the names of those who will accompany him during the trip were revealed.

For his four-day visit to Britain the Pope will be accompanied by team of about two dozen aides.

Key figures will be the Vatican Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, who came to prominence in 2005, when he called for people to boycott the blockbuster film The Da Vinci Code, calling the Dan Brown thriller "shameful and unfounded lies".

Also alongside the Pope will be his private secretary, Monsignor Georg Gaenswein, 53, who has been dubbed "Gorgeous Georg" or "Bello Georg" by Italian media for his rugged good looks.

Pictures of the handsome priest in tennis shorts caused a stir when they appeared on the front of glossy Italian weekly Chi, which said: "Father Georg has dozens of female admirers from showbusiness and politics."

The George Clooney look-alike spends his spare time skiing or playing tennis or football, and is also building up hours on his pilot's licence.

Also in the entourage will be senior Scottish figures from the English section of the Vatican's state department.

Section head Monsignor Leo Cushley, 48, will certainly be among the Pope's senior aides.

He is a former curate at Motherwell Cathedral and as head of the Vatican's English section he will be the Pope's official translator - although Benedict speaks reasonable English.

Also with the Pope on the plane will be Britain's dynamic ambassador to the Holy See Francis Campbell, 40, who has played a key role in organising the trip. Mr Campbell made history in 2005 when he became the first Roman Catholic to be appointed to the post since the Reformation - and after the job was advertised in the press.

He has played host to Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and also Bruce Forsyth and his wife, who were personally greeted by Pope Benedict two years ago while visiting the Vatican.