“Popemobile” is the informal name for the specially designed vehicles popes use to travel through crowds. Early popes rode in formal limousines and open cars; Pope John Paul II, who traveled more than any previous pope, made the Popemobile famous. After the 1981 assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square, the vehicles gained bullet-resistant glass enclosures, most famously on Mercedes-Benz models. Recent popes have favored more open designs, and in 2024 Mercedes delivered an electric G-Class Popemobile.

Timeline

Era Vehicle
1930s–60s Formal limousines, including Mercedes-Benz models
1965 Pope Paul VI’s open-car ride through New York
1979 Converted truck in Poland for John Paul II
1980 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Popemobile in Germany
After 1981 Glass-enclosed, armored Popemobiles
2015 onward More open vehicles for Pope Francis
2024 Electric Mercedes G-Class Popemobile

Designed to be seen

A Popemobile’s purpose is to let crowds see the pope. That usually means a raised platform or seat, large windows or an open rear area, and a slow, steady ride.

The New York connection

When Pope Paul VI visited New York in 1965 — the first papal visit to the United States — he rode through the city in an open Lincoln Continental, greeted by huge crowds. Later papal visits to New York continued the tradition of motorcades through Manhattan.

After 1981

The 1981 assassination attempt on John Paul II led to armored glass “bubble” enclosures, often on Mercedes-Benz G-Class and M-Class chassis. Other manufacturers, including Range Rover, SEAT and Fiat, have also built Popemobiles for specific visits.

Pope Francis and openness

Pope Francis preferred open vehicles and modest cars, saying he wanted to be close to people. The electric G-Class delivered in 2024 reflects both tradition and sustainability.

For other official vehicles designed around visibility and protection, see British royal state cars, The Beast and the Mercedes G-Class history.