How does the Pope travel by air? I would imagine he has his own plane (or fleet), but are they tricked out like AF1 is for security and safety concerns? I would think so, since money is not object, and he’s the #1 Catholic on the planet. Anyone know?
Pash
IIRC, he uses a chartered plane from one of the Italian airlines, and while I can see them using an “armored” plane (i.e. able to withstand small round fire, anti-missile defenses), I can’t see him getting one that’s all tricked out with the fancy gear like AF1 (other than medical gear), since it’s not like he’s got to be prepared to send an army into battle at a moment’s notice.
I think Tuckerfan is right. I found an article about the Pope’s visit to St. Louis in 1999 that mentions a chartered jet provided courtesy of TWA.
Figures the jet would be a TWA, as that was the punch line of a hilarious joke before the Pope was a Pole. 
It makes me feel old, because I got that!
Well, for those of us who aren’t quite so old, wanna explain it?
IIRC, the Pope has flown commercial on more than one occasion. The Vatican buys out the whole first class section for his cadre, and that’s it. I think I read it four or five years ago.
-Tofer
Let’s just say the punch line was Top Wop Aboard.
I can get away with telling that joke, being half guinea myself.