Top Popemobiles That Made History

Although many automobile manufacturers have had the privilege of crafting a popemobile throughout history, here are some of the more memorable instances.

For many automobile manufacturers, having a high-profile individual use their car ranks as one of the greatest honors. However, when it comes to importance, nothing surpasses the Pope and his specially equipped Papamobile.

The Popemobile boasts a significant legacy within the automotive sector, having been crafted over time by numerous manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz, who have had the honor of constructing the Pope's automobiles. However, papal transportation wasn't exclusively vehicular in earlier times.

RELATED: Lamborghini once built a special Popemobile for Pope Francis

According to the Smithsonian Magazine Before the incorporation of motorized vehicles into the Vatican fleet, His Holiness utilized a distinctive throne called the sedia gestoria (roughly translating to carrying chair) for public appearances.

The pontiff’s chair was carried on the shoulders of the sediari, a group of uniformed officers tasked with moving the Pope to and from different destinations.

Although the term "Popemobile" was not officially created until 1978, it may interest you to learn that the head of the Roman Catholic Church has been using automobiles for transportation since as far back as 1930.

As the world celebrates the election of the next Pope – Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a dual American-Peruvian citizen, now known as Pope Leo XIV – following the death of Pope Francis in late April 2025, we take a look at some of the most significant popemobiles in history.

Pope Pius XI : Graham-Paige Type 837

It would be negligent not to discuss the origin of the Popemobile. As per various accounts, Vatican Museum On November 10, 1929, the Graham-Paige Model 837 became the inaugural vehicle to join the Vatican’s motor pool.

The automobile was developed by the Graham brothers—Joseph, Robert, and Ray—who established the Graham-Paige brand around the late 1920s.

The Type 837 made its mark in Catholic history when Pope Pius XI utilized this vehicle to visit the Basilica of St John Lateran. This significant event was notable as it represented the first occasion a pope departed from the Vatican territory since the fall of Rome on September 20, 1870.

The Graham-Paige Model 837 featured Pope Pius XI and Pius XII’s coat of arms on the doors, and included a collapsible seat at the back for his use.

Pope Pius XI : Mercedes-Benz 480 Nürburg limousine

Although Mercedes-Benz has donated various models as Popemobiles over the years, their initial contribution to the Vatican was the Mercedes-Benz 480 Nürburg limousine.

On November 30, 1930, the automobile was presented to Pope Pius XI to commemorate the Lateran Treaty signed between the Vatican and Italy, establishing the Vatican’s status as an autonomous and separate state.

The Mercedes-Benz 480 Nürburgrlimousine was crafted by the renowned German automotive engineer Ferdinand Porsche, who lent his expertise to create this iconic vehicle.

The Mercedes-Benz 480 Nürburg made its debut at the 1928 Paris Salon, with the Vatican Museum stating Pope Pius XI was enthusiastic about the vehicle. As is protocol, the limousine’s passenger area was modified to house a single crimson seat for His Holiness.

Pope Benedict XVI : Renault electric Kangoo Maxi Z.E people-mover

Although Pope Francis popularised electric cars during his time as pope, it’s important to mention that he was not the initial pontiff to use a battery-operated car.

The distinction goes to Pope Benedict XVI, who used two electric Renault Kangoo Maxi Z.E. vans during his tenure as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.

As previously reported by vtrik In September 2012, the French brand gifted two models to the papal retreat located at Pope Benedict XVI's summer residence. Previously, he had used the white minivan, adorned with his emblem on the sides, for transportation purposes.

The second blue and yellow Renault Kangoo Maxi Z.E. served as part of the fleet for the Vatican City Gendarmerie Corps, which handles security duties for the Pope within and around Vatican City.

Coachbuilder Gruau was tasked with customising the people-movers to fit with papal duties. The modifications included: a retractable roof, removable side windows and rear-hinged back doors.

Pope John Paul II: Fiat 1107 Nuova Campagnola

Although many of the vehicles on the roster signify uplifting chapters in the Pope’s story, this particular Fiat 1107 Nuova Campagnola stands as a somber reminder of the challenges faced during Pope John Paul II’s tenure.

On May 12, 1980, the Italian brand presented this particular model to His Holiness as a gift, and it was used by Pope John Paul II for roughly one year until an incident almost turned tragic.

According to the Vatican Museum On May 13, 1981, the Pope became the victim of an assassination attempt when a Turkish terrorist fired upon Pope John Paul II.

His Holiness was struck twice but astonishingly managed to recover. The pope attributed his survival to the intervention of the Virgin Mary, noting that one of the bullets was positioned within the crown of the statue at Fatima.

Pope Francis: Toyota Mirai fuel cell vehicle

Pope Francis, renowned for his strong stance on environmental protection and combating climate change, utilized his Toyota Mirai popemobile during his 2019 trip to Japan.

Although the pope and Vatican City employed various electric vehicles such as the Mercedes-Benz G580 and Volkswagen ID.3, ID.4, and ID.5, the Mirai sedan was the inaugural hydrogen-fueled papal car.

In 2019, Toyota constructed two Mirai popemobiles and gifted one to Pope Francis. The vehicle, which had a length of 5.1 meters and stood at 2.7 meters tall, underwent modifications to accommodate the pope’s transportation needs.

As previously reported by vtrik , the Toyota Mirai popemobile wasn’t armoured – unlike previous iterations of the popemobile – and instead featured an open rear-mounted platform lit by an LED overhead system.

The post The most significant popemobiles in history appeared first on vtrik .