AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (The Adobo Chronicles® ) –  Fiat, the Italian part of the global Fiat-Chrysler alliance, is having more and more trouble selling its small, inexpensive cars in America. Most recent data on “days to turn,” the average number of days dealers have cars in inventory before selling them, continues to rise for Fiat.

But thanks to the U.S. visit of Pope Francis, Fiat sales in the U.S. have more than tripled in just the last two days.  This, after Catholic car buyers watched media coverage of the Pontiff’s activities in Washington, D.C., during which he has been transported from the airport to The White House to the U.S. Capitol and other venues  in a tiny Fiat instead of the usual Cadillac limousines afforded visiting dignitaries.

Even in the Vatican, the Pope has traded his limousine and Popemobile in favor of a used Fiat.

Since becoming pope, Francis has led an uncomplicated life, rejecting the pompous and ostentatious ways of The Vatican. From shoes to garments, from living quarters to automobiles, he has chosen the way of simplicity and poverty.

Will this signal the end of Volkswagen’s and Toyota’s world dominance in automaking?