From Seat to Mercedes: The Evolution of the Popemobile
The Pope has also ridden in Cadillacs and electric cars.
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.
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.
Here's a quick look at some of the curious rides used by the Pope through the years.
1960 Mercedes-Benz 300D
Pope John XXIII's car, it marked 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.
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.
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.
1984 Land Rover
In 1981, John Paul II was the victim of an attempted attack. That led to this interesting Range Rover, modified to protect him. Many subsequent Popemobiles would offer similar protection.
1985 Mercedes-Benz 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.
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.
1999 Cadillac DeVille
This Cadillac DeVille Parade Phaeton was designed in 1998, especially for the arrival of John Paul II in the United States.
2007 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
The first Popemobile of the Benedict XVI era, this Mercedes G-Class is a classic among Vatican vehicles.
2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
Considered too uncomfortable, the G-Class was replaced by a more civilized Mercedes ML, and equipped again with a glass cabin to protect Pope Francis.
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 used for his trips around his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
2024 Mercedes-Benz G 580 EQ
Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius presented a new electric Popemobile to Pope Francis in December 2024. The modified G doesn't just have a raised roof for the Pontiff to stand. The electric powertrain has been modified specifically for driving at very slow speeds. Presumably, that means it can't rip a tank turn.
Other Stately Vehicles:
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