Popemobiles touch down in Spain under heavy security
Two popemobiles have arrived in Spain under tight security ahead of Pope Leo’s highly anticipated visit next week. On May 31, a semi-open-top Mercedes popemobile was flown into Madrid aboard a Spanish Air Force Airbus A400M military aircraft. After being unloaded, the vehicle was covered with a tarpaulin and escorted by Spain’s National Police to a secure storage facility. Meanwhile, a second semi-open-top Isuzu popemobile landed at Barcelona’s El Prat Airport, where it was also transported under security escort to an undisclosed location. The vehicles are being prepared for Pope Leo’s seven-day apostolic journey to Spain, which begins in Madrid on June 6 before continuing to Barcelona on June 9. The pontiff is also expected to visit the Canary Islands, including Gran Canaria and Tenerife. The arrival of the specially designed vehicles marks one of the final logistical steps before the papal trip, as Spanish authorities ramp up security and preparations for what is expected to be one of the largest public events of Pope Leo’s young pontificate.