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From Seat To Mercedes, See The Evolution Of The Popemobile

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1960 Mercedes 300D

Pope John XXIII's car, it marks the strengthening of ties between the German brand and the Vatican, whereas World War II had interrupted ties between Mercedes and the smallest state in the world.

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1964 Lincoln Continental Limousine Popemobile by Lehmann-Peterson

Paul VI first had a Mercedes, specifically a 600 Landaulet, and then obtained a Lincoln Continental Limousine. It was converted into a Popemobile by Lehmann Peterson in 1964.

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1982 Seat Panda

In the early 1980s, the Fiat Panda was also marketed under the Seat logo, before becoming the Marbella. The Pope was driving a Mercedes G-Class at the time, but a trip to Spain was planned and the sizable off-roader was too big to fit through some locations on the journey. As such, a prototype of Seat Panda was requisitioned and hastily converted.

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1984 Land Rover

In 1981, John Paul II was the victim of an attempted attack. That led to this curious Range Rover, modified to protect him. Many subsequent Popemobiles would offer similar protection.

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1985 Mercedes S Class

In the mid-1980s, the Vatican once again used Mercedes sedans, like this W126 S-Class, as the official car for John Paul II.

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1986 Renault Espace

The Pope's visit to Lyon in 1986 was marked by the creation of a French Popemobile, specially adapted for the occasion. It is a Renault Espace with reinforced windows and low-pressure tires, so that it can react sharply in the event of an assassination attempt.

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1999 Cadillac DeVille

This Cadillac DeVille Parade Phaeton was designed in 1998, especially for the arrival of John Paul II in the United States.

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2007 Mercedes G-Class

The first Popemobile of the Benedict XVI era, this Mercedes G-Class is a classic in Vatican vehicles with generations of the German off-roader having crossed pontifical periods.

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2012 Mercedes M-Class

Considered too uncomfortable, the G-Class was replaced by a more civilized Mercedes ML, and equipped again with a glass cabin, in order not to take any risk to Pope Francis' health.

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2012 Renault Kangoo ZE

In 2012, Renault forged new ties with the Pope and offered him a 100 percent electric Popemobile, a Kangoo Z.E, which he uses for his trips around his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.

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Jul 15, 2019 at 1:29pm

By: Emmanuel Touzot

Translated by: Christopher Smith

The Pope has also ridden in Cadillacs and even an electric car.

All heads of state have special cars. Donald Trump gets around with a huge Cadillac called The Beast, while his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin rolls in a massive Aurus Arsenal. French President Emmanuel Macron is a bit more modest, choosing to ride in the first DS 7 Crossback that came off the production line.

However, people often forget that the Pope is also a head of state. Specifically, he's the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City-State, and when he travels he needs a special vehicle like any other leader. As such, his rides aren't generally normal cars, and over the years these special creations have earned the name Popemobile.

Hit the slideshow above for a look at some of the curious rides used by the Pope through the years.