EYNON -- The pope's choice of travel while here in the U.S. is creating some interest for car buyers.
The Holy Father has been seen riding around in pretty small cars and the popularity of those vehicles seems to be growing even with some people in our area.
While on his United States visit, the pope has been seen riding around Washington, D.C. and New York City in both a black FIAT 500 L and a white Jeep Wrangler "Popemobile."
Salesmen at Tony Domiano dealership in Eynon say there have been more people coming in to look at or buy both of those vehicles ever since the pope has been seen on TV riding around in them--so much so that the dealership created a "Vatican Alley" where they put both vehicles on display.
Being led by a trail of large luxury vehicles, Pope Francis waves to his admirers, but the car the pope is riding in isn't large or expensive. In fact, it's quite compact. The Holy Father chose to travel in a FIAT. It's a choice that surprised Felicia Powell of Dickson City.
"I think it's awesome. I think, hey, why not? Even though he is the pope, he can zip around in a nice little car just like everybody else," said Felicia Powell of Dickson City.
Salesmen at Tony Domiano have seen the spike in interest first hand.
"We've had an influx of traffic since it's been on TV. We've had some drivers driving though. We've had some high school students from Scranton Prep coming in looking at the FIATS. We had some nuns that drove through the car lots looking at the FIATS," said Eddie Gallagher, a salesman at Tony Domiano.
Salesmen at Tony Domiano said the price tag of the vehicles makes them even more appealing.
"Its definitely put a benchmark to where the car was two weeks ago. You're seeing more people are interested in it, exactly what the pricing is on it, how dependable they are, where they are from, and it was nice to see him in a car that's not a $50,000 car," said Gallagher.
"He's a people person, that's why. He's down to earth," said Nancy Crawford of Factoryville.
"He's not out splurging and having to be in these fancy cars. Just like they say, he's the people's pope. He's doing what the people do," said Powell.