The selection of vehicles available to the Pope for this purpose is not insignificant; there is official talk of more than 60 Popemobiles, but anyone who looks at photos of the papal visits of recent years will quickly come to the conclusion that “more” is a very flexible term.
All of the Pope’s motorized vehicles currently in use for such occasions are equipped with a raised, removable seat so that the Holy Father can be seen in the crowd even from the back rows. This seat can be covered with a glass dome (in most cases armored and with a design reminiscent of a telephone booth) to protect against rain, snow and bullets. A popular precautionary measure of the Vatican since the May 13, 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in an open Fiat 1107 Campagnola.
The Fiat 1107 Campagnola, which became infamous due to the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II on 13 May 1981 in St Peter’s Square in Rome, is on display in the Vatican Coach Museum Photo: Padiglione delle Carrozze
The papal fleet has grown significantly, especially during his term in office. This may be because no other pope has traveled so much before, but car brands have also discovered the pontiff as an excellent advertising vehicle. John Paul II received the last of the 400 Ferrari Enzos built from Luca di Montezemolo as a promotional gift. We do not know whether the Enzo was auctioned off because Ferrari refused to install the obligatory gearbox, which is adapted to the walking pace of the Vatican’s parades, or because the bucket seats were too uncomfortable for the Holy Father’s bottom. The Lamborghini Huracán, which was given to Pope Francis in 2022, also went under the hammer for a good cause.
Signed, blessed and immediately after the ceremony, the Huracán, painted white with gold decorations in keeping with the Vatican colors, was handed over to the auction house RM Sotheby’s and auctioned off
Despite the wings, the Ferrari Enzo was not included in Pope John Paul II’s fleet. This super sports car was also auctioned off and the proceeds went to charity.
Mercedes – companion of the Holy Father
Above all, Mercedes has always strived to maintain the image of a car manufacturer whose comfortable sedan-like vehicles do justice to God’s representative on earth. Pius XI was driven around in a Mercedes Nürburg 460 with papal-upgraded interior fittings, as well as a Citroën Litoria C6 (1930) and a Graham Paige Type 837. From the 600 Laundaulet (1965) and the 300 SEL (1966), which Mercedes gave to Pope Paul VI, to several S-Class limousines and G- and M-Classes that went to Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI, Mercedes did not skimp. The Vatican alone owns eleven G-Classes equipped for papal visits.
Pope Pius XI’s Citroën Lietoria C6 did not yet have the white paintwork of later vehicles, but the gold decorations, papal emblems and standards were an unmistakable indication of the passenger of this vehicle.
The throne and the velvet and gold interior were not available as options on the order form at Citroën in 1930
This Graham Paige Type 837 was also available to Pope Pius XI for his travels
During his visit to East Timor in September this year, Pope Francis greeted the crowd from a Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler is by far not the only off-road vehicle in the papal possession. In addition to 11 Mercedes G-Classes, several MLs, Toyota Landcruisers and Isuzu D-Max, a Dacia Duster has also been one of his vehicles since 2019.
The Pope was driven through Singapore in the electric Hyundai Ioniq 5
This Ioniq 5 is part of a fleet of electric vehicles used by the Vatican
It is rather unlikely that Pope Francis himself will cruise through Luxembourg at the wheel of the 30-year-old Renault R4, which has already covered more than 300,000 kilometers. However, in Rome he is said to have already proven that he can handle the revolver gearshift.
The Mercedes G-Class is not only a legendary off-road vehicle and a status symbol on the well-paved streets of wealthy suburbs all over the world, it is certainly also the most famous Popemobile.
Where the Citroën of the 1930s had a papal emblem on the front bumper, the current vehicles have the license plate SCV 1. (Status Civitatis Vaticanæ “Vatican City” – what the 1 stands for probably needs no explanation.)
The assumption that Pope Francis is now completing the dozen is therefore not so far-fetched. Pope Francis often relies on cars that are not so statesmanlike and are closer to the people, but on the other hand he is also increasingly relying on environmentally friendly drives. The Vatican was equipped with 40 fully electric VW ID3s in 2022 and owns several electric Renault Kangoos and a hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai. A Fisker Ocean was to be converted into a Popemobile, but whether this project will be completed is uncertain given the financial situation of the Californian carmaker.
So it will remain interesting for all those who are enthusiastic about the Pope’s means of transport in Luxembourg whether Francis arrives in a Dacia Duster or in the new G-Class.
Anyone who wants to be driven through the city in a Popemobile and wave to pedestrians currently has the opportunity to purchase a Fiat that served Pope John XXIII for 130,000 euros. Compared to the eBay bid of 188,938.88 euros for Ratzinger’s shabby Golf 4, that’s a bargain!
