In his over a decade as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis has left an indelible mark not only with his simple lifestyle and relatable messages but also with the vehicles he has used during his travels around the world.
These cars are often referred to as Popemobiles, serving not just a means of transportation but also reflecting the Pope’s philosophy and connection to the community.
Soon after his inauguration in 2013, Pope Francis received a Mercedes-Benz M-Class, previously used by his predecessor, Benedict XVI, in 2012. This was one of the first cars to serve Pope Francis during official events.
In the same year, Father Renzo Zocca gifted the Pope a 1984 Renault 4. This vintage car had been the Italian priest’s daily driver, and Pope Francis used it for moving within the Vatican City.
Additionally, he often chose to ride in a Ford Focus from the Vatican’s security team instead of requesting a separate Popemobile.
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An interesting fact worth mentioning is Hyundai’s April Fool’s joke in 2009, when the Korean carmaker declared that their Santa Fe model would become the new Popemobile. Surprisingly, this actually came true when the Pope used this SUV to move around St. Peter’s Square.
During his visit to South Korea in 2014, President Park Geun-hye welcomed Pope Francis with a Kia Soul crossover. While in the country, he also used a specially modified Kia Sedona, with alterations to the body to improve visibility and communication with the faithful.
In the Philippines in 2015, the Pope once again made headlines by choosing to travel in a Jeepney, a popular mode of transportation in the country. He also used an Isuzu D-Max pickup truck, which is currently on display in a showroom there.
In Peru, Pope Francis rode in a white Jeep Wrangler bearing the Vatican emblem, a familiar design on many Popemobiles.
During his September 2015 trip to the United States, he chose the compact Italian car, the Fiat 500L Lounge Hatchback. After the trip, the car was auctioned off, raising $28,000 (727.65 million VND).
In 2019, during his visit to Romania, the Pope was greeted with a Dacia Duster SUV, produced and assembled by the local carmaker (part of the Renault group).
One of the most notable choices in the Pope’s vehicle selection was his ride in Indonesia in 2024, where he used the military SUV Pindad Maung MV3 Tangguh. “Maung” in the Sunda language means “tiger,” implying strength and dignity.
At Changi Airport in Singapore, he was welcomed with the modern electric car, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, marking the increasing presence of electric vehicles in the Pope’s fleet. Traditionally, all these cars bear the license plate SCV 1, which stands for Status Civitatis Vatican.
Not limiting himself to conventional cars, Pope Francis also received a customized Lamborghini Huracan RWD Coupe in 2018. The car, painted in Bianco Monocerus white with Giallo Tiberino gold stripes, was auctioned off for charity, raising 809,375 euros (23.8 billion VND).
In December 2024, Mercedes-Benz introduced the G580 electric model with a unique design for Pope Francis. It featured a Classic Pearl White paint job and incorporated advanced technologies. Unfortunately, the Pope did not get to use this car before his passing in 2025.
With each journey, the Popemobiles not only served as a means of transportation for Pope Francis but also became symbols of connection, humility, and the simple life he always advocated.
TH (Tuoitrethudo)
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