Buzz
For nearly two thousand years, the Catholic Church has been led by popes, and for the past century, automobiles have played a role in their transportation. Historically, popes were carried on a ceremonial chair supported by twelve poles, symbolizing the twelve disciples, allowing them to rise above crowds and be seen. However, with the advent of automobiles, the Vatican embraced this modern innovation, often receiving cars as gifts. (For a detailed look at papal transportation, explore The Washington Post’s comprehensive illustrated history.)
Over the years, various popes have expressed their unique tastes in vehicles, transitioning from Mercedes-Benz limousines to specially designed trucks, high-end SUVs, and fortified cars.
Here are some of the most intriguing vehicles used by Pope Francis and his predecessors over the last hundred years—excluding the Ferrari that Pope John Paul II kept in the Vatican garage.
1. 1930 MERCEDES-BENZ 460 NURBURG EDITION
Courtesy of Motor Trend
Mercedes-Benz gifted Pope Pius XI an extended 460 Nurburg edition, much to the relief of the twelve men who traditionally carried the papal chair. Known within the Vatican as 'the Rome vehicle,' this car was primarily used for local travel. Although it lacked armor, Mercedes had introduced this feature as an option in 1928. Like all papal vehicles, it bore the license plate 'SCV-1,' signifying 'status civitatus Vaticanae,' with the pope being number one. The Vatican retained this car for three decades, a testament to its durability and the skill of its maintenance team.
Mercedes-Benz often highlights its role as the official vehicle provider for the popes, though this claim isn't entirely accurate. As popes began traveling globally in the mid-20th century, local manufacturers often prepared customized vehicles for their use during international visits.
2. 1964 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL LIMOUSINE
Courtesy of CatholicHotDish
During his historic 1964 visit to the United States, Pope Paul VI was provided with a spacious Lincoln Continental limousine for his travels. Customized by Lehmann-Peterson, the vehicle featured side platforms for security personnel, an open roof, and a small 10-inch windshield above the main one to protect the pope’s cap from wind. Unable to take the limousine home, Pope Paul left it in the U.S., where it was later used by American astronauts and as a parade vehicle for dignitaries in Chicago.
3. 1979 FORD CUSTOM: THE FIRST "POPEMOBILE"
Courtesy of World Irish
The iconic Popemobile made its debut in Dublin, Ireland, in 1979. Built on a Ford truck chassis, it was fully customized to elevate Pope John Paul II above the crowds, reminiscent of the traditional papal chair carried by twelve men. The design included a glass-enclosed section resembling a greenhouse, housing the papal throne and space for his entourage, along with an open platform for public appearances. Interested in experiencing it? The repainted Popemobile is now available for rent at £300 per night from the Dublin Wax Museum.
4. 1982 CUSTOM LAND ROVERS (AND AN ILL-FATED FIAT)
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Following the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, Popemobiles underwent significant transformations. During his 1982 visit to the United Kingdom, he traveled in two heavily armored, bomb-resistant Land Rovers equipped with four-wheel drive. These vehicles featured the signature glass enclosure and throne for visibility and public interaction, but the open-air platform was removed for safety reasons. (Interestingly, the pope was riding in a modified Fiat Campaignola during the attack, a vehicle later used by Benedict XVI as late as 2012 for Vatican transportation.)
5. 2002 MERCEDES-BENZ G-CLASS SUV
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In 2002, Pope John Paul II upgraded to a sleek Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, painted in his signature Mystic White. Embracing a more modern persona, he requested that the term 'Popemobile' no longer be used for his throne-equipped vehicles. The throne, adorned with the Vatican’s coat of arms on white upholstery, remained a centerpiece. Despite his wishes, the term 'Popemobile' has endured in popular culture.
6. 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ M-CLASS SUV
Courtesy of CarAdvice
In early 2013, shortly before Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement, the Vatican introduced a redesigned Popemobile based on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class. This version featured soft halogen lighting above the throne and a motorized lift within the glass enclosure to elevate the pope for improved visibility. The vehicle’s shorter design also made it more transportable by air.
7. 2015 CUSTOM JEEP WRANGLER
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Pope Francis has decided to avoid the heavily armored Popemobiles favored by previous popes, comparing them to sardine cans. During his July 2015 visit to Ecuador, he traveled in a specially designed, non-armored Jeep. Similarly, during his U.S. visit, he chose modest transportation, arriving from the airport in a compact Fiat 500L and greeting crowds from a modified Jeep Wrangler while touring Washington, D.C.’s National Mall.
This post was originally published in 2013.
