Special Fiat for Pope’s visit to quake site
A special version of the Ducato Panorama was made for Pope Benedict XVI’s visit on April 30 to the sites around L’Aquila where the recent earthquakes occurred.
The car was made at the largest factory in Abruzzo, the Sevel Val di Sangro plant located just 100 kilometres from L’Aquila. It was provided by Fiat to the Civil Defence specifically for the Pope to use.
The Ducato was used to transport the Pope to various sites including the tent camp in Onna, the Basilica of Collemaggio, the ruins of the student dormitory and finally the academy of the Guardia di Finanza in Coppito, which is serving as headquarters for the disaster relief effort.
The one-of-a-kind, seven-seat vehicle (including five seats in the rear in a divan/lounge-style configuration) was specially equipped for the occasion with a white exterior featuring the insignia of the Civil Defence and a luxury white leather-upholstered interior.
