Story highlights Pope Francis says the enclosed, bulletproof Popemobile walls him off from the people

"Let's face it, at my age I don't have much to lose," he tells a Spanish newspaper

Francis says Benedict's retirement was a "great gesture," does not rule out doing same

Pope Francis has told a Spanish newspaper that he prefers not to use a bulletproof Popemobile despite the dangers of an assassination attempt because it is a glass "sardine can" that walls him off from people.

"I know that something could happen to me, but it's in the hands of God."

Since an assassination attempt on then-Pope John Paul II in 1981, the head of the Roman Catholic Church has customarily used the custom-made glass-sided Popemobile when in public.

But Francis has taken his own approach to transport since assuming the papacy last year -- creating a headache for those tasked with ensuring his security.

Photos: Popemobiles through the years Photos: Popemobiles through the years



To learn more about the history of the papacy, watch the new CNN Original Series, During his January 2018 visit to the city of Iquique, Chile, Pope Francis waves from the back of a modified Toyota popemobile. Take a look at how the Pope's wheels have evolved over the years.To learn more about the history of the papacy, watch the new CNN Original Series, "Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History," Sundays at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Hide Caption 1 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years Benedict XVI disembarks the Popemobile in St. Peter's Square on February 27, 2013, the day before he stepped down as pope. Hide Caption 2 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years This version of the Popemobile was used in September 2010 during the pope's visit to London, England. Hide Caption 3 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years This picture shows the way the pope enters a Popemobile. The back door is opened, revealing a small staircase to help him board smoothly.(September 17, 2010 in London, England) Hide Caption 4 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years Pictured here is the detail of the Popemobile licence plate. According to the Vatican, the letters on the plate stand for 'status civitatis Vaticanae.' (September 14, 2010 in London) Hide Caption 5 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years Pope Benedict XVI waves as he arrives in St. Peter's Square after leading the Te Deum prayer on December 31, 2009 in Vatican City, Vatican. The lights inside the Popemobile enable the crowds to see inside the vehicle. Hide Caption 6 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years This Popemobile (photographed in September 2011) is fitted with a religious image just above the pope's seat. Hide Caption 7 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years An Israeli worker drives the Popemobile during a rehearsal on May 6, 2009 at the foot of the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Israel's internal security agency was originally opposed to the pontiff using his Popemobile while in Nazareth on a tour of the Holy Land, according to a government document presented to the weekly Cabinet meeting on April 26. Hide Caption 8 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years 2003: Pope John Paul II arrives in St. Peter's Square in his custom-made Fiat Popemobile on May 18, 2003. Hide Caption 9 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years Pope John Paul II salutes the crowd as he arrives for his weekly address in Vatican City on May 27, 1998. Hide Caption 10 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years In this version of the Popemobile, Pope John Paul II arrives at Sarajevo stadium on April 13, 1997. Hide Caption 11 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years 1982: Pope John Paul II arrives at Westminster Cathedral in London in a modified Range Rover. Hide Caption 12 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years Pope John Paul II is shot by would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Agca in St. Peter's Square on May 13, 1981. Following the assassination attempt, the Popemobile was equipped with bullet-proof glass. Hide Caption 13 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years 1980: Pope John Paul II waves to the crowds from his custom-built truck during a visit to his homeland Poland. Hide Caption 14 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years 1966: Pope Paul VI blesses lorries from the back of a Mercedes-Benz in St. Peter's Square, Rome, before they are shipped to famine-stricken areas of India. Hide Caption 15 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years 1964: During a visit to the John Bosco School in India, Pope Paul VI drives through the crowds with a convoy of bodyguards. Hide Caption 16 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years October 1962: Standing in an open Mercedes, Pope John XXIII receives an enthusiastic welcome from the crowds at Loreto. Hide Caption 17 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years 1929: Papal nuncio Eugenio Pacelli, later created Pope Pius XII, arrives at Freiburg in Germany, accompanied by Dr. Sester. Hide Caption 18 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years Pope Pius IX, Giovanni Mastai Ferretti stands in an open salon coach at a railway station in Rome in about 1846. Hide Caption 19 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years The pope is pictured being carried in the Corpus Domini procession around St. Peter's Square in about 1840. Hide Caption 20 of 21 Photos: Popemobiles through the years Emperor Karl V of Germany, King Charles I of Spain are pictured, circa 1550, with Pope Clement VII in Bologna. Hide Caption 21 of 21

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On a trip to Brazil, he climbed into a silver hatchback Fiat for the drive from the airport to downtown Rio de Janeiro. Along the route, the vehicle became pinned between a bus and a crush of well-wishers who were reaching into the car to touch the Pope. Security was stepped up after that incident.

He's also used an open-topped vehicle, rather than the enclosed, bulletproof version preferred by Benedict, for tours through crowds of the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

The Pope's recent trip to the Holy Land, during which he made stops in Jordan, the West Bank and Jerusalem, is likely to have posed additional significant security challenges.

But he sees being able to speak with and meet people directly as a key part of his pastoral role as pontiff.

Another Pope Emeritus?

In the interview with La Vanguardia, Francis also did not rule out following in the footsteps of his predecessor in the role, Benedict XVI, who stood down from the papacy citing age and frailty.

Francis described Benedict's retirement as a "great gesture" which opened the door to the creation of an institution of Pope Emeritus, as Benedict is now known, according to Vatican Radio.

"As we live longer, we get to an age at which we cannot carry on with things," Francis said. "I will do the same as he did: ask the Lord enlighten me when the moment comes and tell me what I have to do, and he will tell me for sure."

He speaks too of his commitment to interfaith relations and his hopes for Middle East peace.

Asked finally how he would like to be remembered in history, Francis said he hadn't thought about it, according to Vatican Radio.

"But," he said, "I like it when you recall someone and say, 'he was a good guy, he did what he could, and he was not that bad.' With that, I would be content."

Historic attack

Would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Agca shot John Paul II in the abdomen, arm and hand , as he was driven through St Peter's Square, Rome on May 13, 1981.

The then-Pope suffered life-threatening injuries in the attack , but recovered after undergoing major surgery; he later forgave Agca after meeting him in prison.

John Paul II was canonized, or made a saint, in April, along with Pope John XXIII.