Vatican City, Nov 2, 2007 / 07:15 am
Pope Benedict XVI received a new tractor on Wednesday, a gift courtesy of the Italian automotive industry giant Fiat.
The tractor, painted white and marked by Pope Benedict's coat-of-arms, is intended to tow the 17-ton mobile platform the Pope uses for his weekly Wednesday Audiences.
"It'll tow and position the enormous, 17-ton mobile platform on which the Pope will hold his weekly Wednesday General Audience in St Peter's Square," said Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, according to Adnkronos news agency. Marchionne was at Vatican City to deliver the tractor, a customized version of the Fiat-owned New Holland brand's T7050 model.
"For us it's a great honor to have had the opportunity to deliver this vehicle to the Holy Father, in a sign of admiration and respect," Mr. Marchionne said.