• Pope Francis arrives in St Peter's Square in the Vatican in his new Hyundai popemobile in 2015. The mostly all-white Popemobile has become a common sight on Papal visits. Getty Images
    Pope Francis arrives in St Peter's Square in the Vatican in his new Hyundai popemobile in 2015. The mostly all-white Popemobile has become a common sight on Papal visits. Getty Images
  • Before the popemobile was the custom of sedia gestatoria. Seen here, Pope John XXIII in his carrying chair at St Peter's Basilica during his reign in office between 1958 and 1963. Getty Images
    Before the popemobile was the custom of sedia gestatoria. Seen here, Pope John XXIII in his carrying chair at St Peter's Basilica during his reign in office between 1958 and 1963. Getty Images
  • Popes would also ride in horse-drawn carriages much like the head of states of the time. Seen here Pope Leo XIII during his time in office from 1878 to 1903. Getty Images
    Popes would also ride in horse-drawn carriages much like the head of states of the time. Seen here Pope Leo XIII during his time in office from 1878 to 1903. Getty Images
  • Early motorised vehicles were regal affairs and only slightly modified for the Pope. The 1930s era Merdeces-Benz Nurburg 460, pictured in front of Castel Sant’ Angelo, was a favourite of Pope Pius XI. Daimler AG
    Early motorised vehicles were regal affairs and only slightly modified for the Pope. The 1930s era Merdeces-Benz Nurburg 460, pictured in front of Castel Sant’ Angelo, was a favourite of Pope Pius XI. Daimler AG
  • Pope Paul VI seen standing out of the sunroof of the Mercedes-Benz 300D after return from a pilgrimage to Jordan in the 1960s. This vehicle is thought to be the first car that was customised for the Pope to stand up in. Daimler AG
    Pope Paul VI seen standing out of the sunroof of the Mercedes-Benz 300D after return from a pilgrimage to Jordan in the 1960s. This vehicle is thought to be the first car that was customised for the Pope to stand up in. Daimler AG
  • By the time Pope Paul VI was in office, papal vehicles were beginning to look like modern successors. Seen here a Willys Jeep. Getty Images
    By the time Pope Paul VI was in office, papal vehicles were beginning to look like modern successors. Seen here a Willys Jeep. Getty Images
  • Pope Paul VI drives through the crowds in a Willys Jeep during a visit to John Bosco School in India in 1964. Getty Images
    Pope Paul VI drives through the crowds in a Willys Jeep during a visit to John Bosco School in India in 1964. Getty Images
  • Pope John Paul II greets people at the Vatican City in 1979 in a Toyota Land Cruiser popemobile. Getty Images
    Pope John Paul II greets people at the Vatican City in 1979 in a Toyota Land Cruiser popemobile. Getty Images
  • For big visits, an all-terrain vehicle. Here is Pope John Paul II waving from his open-top bus in 1979 in Mexico City. He would use a modern version during his return to Mexico in 1999. AFP
    For big visits, an all-terrain vehicle. Here is Pope John Paul II waving from his open-top bus in 1979 in Mexico City. He would use a modern version during his return to Mexico in 1999. AFP
  • In Ireland, Pope John Paul II heads to an event in a converted Ford D-series. Getty Images
    In Ireland, Pope John Paul II heads to an event in a converted Ford D-series. Getty Images
  • Pope John Paul II greets the crowds at Easter, 1981 in an open Fiat Campagnola. An assassination attempt in May 1981 meant the popemobile would go through a radical change. Getty Images
    Pope John Paul II greets the crowds at Easter, 1981 in an open Fiat Campagnola. An assassination attempt in May 1981 meant the popemobile would go through a radical change. Getty Images
  • During his UK visit in 1982, Pope John Paul II used a massive 24-ton Leyland lorry for his visit to Liverpool. The vehicle was sold at auction AP Photo
    During his UK visit in 1982, Pope John Paul II used a massive 24-ton Leyland lorry for his visit to Liverpool. The vehicle was sold at auction AP Photo
  • Pope John Paul II arrives at Westminster Cathedral in a Range Rover that had bulletproof glass on all four sides. Getty Images
    Pope John Paul II arrives at Westminster Cathedral in a Range Rover that had bulletproof glass on all four sides. Getty Images
  • Pope John Paul II rides along a narrow street in the same Range Rover popemobile in Toledo, Spain, in 1982. AP Photo
    Pope John Paul II rides along a narrow street in the same Range Rover popemobile in Toledo, Spain, in 1982. AP Photo
  • Pope John Paull II travels in a heavily modified GMC Sierra popemobile through rural Newfoundland, Canada in 1984. Reuters
    Pope John Paull II travels in a heavily modified GMC Sierra popemobile through rural Newfoundland, Canada in 1984. Reuters
  • Pope John Paul II waves to people gathered outside the gates of the Presidential Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1992. This Land Rover had a expanded glass casing to fit several officials. AFP
    Pope John Paul II waves to people gathered outside the gates of the Presidential Palace in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1992. This Land Rover had a expanded glass casing to fit several officials. AFP
  • The Pope John Paul II rides in his Mercedes-Benz 230G Popemobile with gold rims in the streets of Paris in 1997. He would use this model for most of his trips around the turn of the millenium. AFP
    The Pope John Paul II rides in his Mercedes-Benz 230G Popemobile with gold rims in the streets of Paris in 1997. He would use this model for most of his trips around the turn of the millenium. AFP
  • Lebanese soldiers unload Pope John Paul II's Mercedes popemobile from an Italian military plane in Beirut in 1997. Two of these G-Class vehicles were produced by Mercedes. AFP
    Lebanese soldiers unload Pope John Paul II's Mercedes popemobile from an Italian military plane in Beirut in 1997. Two of these G-Class vehicles were produced by Mercedes. AFP
  • Pope John Paul ll waves to crowds of people from his Mercedes popemobile in Damascus, Syria, in 2001. It had a top speed of 130kph. Getty Images
    Pope John Paul ll waves to crowds of people from his Mercedes popemobile in Damascus, Syria, in 2001. It had a top speed of 130kph. Getty Images
  • Pope John Paul II stands in an updated Mercedes-Benz M-Class Popemobile which is parked in front of his family tomb in 2002 in Krakow-Rakovice, Poland. The M-Class Getty Images
    Pope John Paul II stands in an updated Mercedes-Benz M-Class Popemobile which is parked in front of his family tomb in 2002 in Krakow-Rakovice, Poland. The M-Class Getty Images
  • The open-air Fiat Campagnola has an outing in 2003. Getty Images
    The open-air Fiat Campagnola has an outing in 2003. Getty Images
  • Pope John Paul II leaves Policlinico Gemelli Hospital in Rome in his Mercedes M-Class popemobile in 2005. Getty images
    Pope John Paul II leaves Policlinico Gemelli Hospital in Rome in his Mercedes M-Class popemobile in 2005. Getty images
  • The M-class was a popular model used by Pope Benedict XVI on his international trips such as the one in Cologne, Germnay in 2005. Getty Images
    The M-class was a popular model used by Pope Benedict XVI on his international trips such as the one in Cologne, Germnay in 2005. Getty Images
  • Bodyguards escort the M-Class transporting Pope Benedict XVI after his arrival in Warsaw in 2006. Getty Images
    Bodyguards escort the M-Class transporting Pope Benedict XVI after his arrival in Warsaw in 2006. Getty Images
  • But Pope Benedict used the Fiat while at home in Rome in 2005. Getty Images
    But Pope Benedict used the Fiat while at home in Rome in 2005. Getty Images
  • Pope Benedict waves to the crowds around the Vatican City in 2006. Getty Images
    Pope Benedict waves to the crowds around the Vatican City in 2006. Getty Images
  • Pope Benedict XVI travels in his popemobile through Sydney, Australia in 2008. Getty Images
    Pope Benedict XVI travels in his popemobile through Sydney, Australia in 2008. Getty Images
  • Pope Benedict XVI passes ancient graves in Jerusalem in 2009. Getty Images
    Pope Benedict XVI passes ancient graves in Jerusalem in 2009. Getty Images
  • Pope Benedict XVI waves before he retired from office in 2013. Getty Images
    Pope Benedict XVI waves before he retired from office in 2013. Getty Images
  • Pope Francis waves to the crowds in a Mercedes G-Wagen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013. Getty Images
    Pope Francis waves to the crowds in a Mercedes G-Wagen in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2013. Getty Images
  • Pope Francis used a Ford Ranger during his trip to Bolivia in 2015. Getty Images
    Pope Francis used a Ford Ranger during his trip to Bolivia in 2015. Getty Images
  • And a Dodge popemobile in Dublin, Ireland, in 2018. Getty Images
    And a Dodge popemobile in Dublin, Ireland, in 2018. Getty Images
  • Pope Francis arrives for papal mass at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi in 2019 in a Mercedes G-Wagen. EPA
    Pope Francis arrives for papal mass at Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi in 2019 in a Mercedes G-Wagen. EPA

How the Popemobile has evolved - in pictures

From horse-drawn carriages to massive lorries, here's a look at vehicles that were adapted for Popes on tour

Stephen Nelmes

February 05, 2019

  • English
  • Arabic

Public appearances by the leader of Catholic Church come in all shapes and sizes - and that includes the vehicles that carry him.

In the past, Popes would be carried along a ceremonial throne called the sedia gestatoria by papal attendees.

The custom was abolished by Pope John Paul II who wanted to see as many of his flock as possible during a trip. Motorised alternatives were conceived and the Popemobile was coined.

Neither Benedict XVI or Francis has revived the chair, and the latter has gone as far as removing the bulletproof screenings in his Popemobiles.

From regal horse-drawn carriages to using a giant Leyland Motors lorry in response to an assassination attempt on John Paul II, take a look at some of the most memorable vehicles adapted for the Pope in the gallery above.

UPDATE: Pope Francis uses Mercedes G-Wagen for his UAE visit

The Outsider

Stephen King, Penguin

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The biog

Hobbies: Salsa dancing “It's in my blood” and listening to music in different languages

Favourite place to travel to: “Thailand, as it's gorgeous, food is delicious, their massages are to die for!”  

Favourite food: “I'm a vegetarian, so I can't get enough of salad.”

Favourite film:  “I love watching documentaries, and am fascinated by nature, animals, human anatomy. I love watching to learn!”

Best spot in the UAE: “I fell in love with Fujairah and anywhere outside the big cities, where I can get some peace and get a break from the busy lifestyle”

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