The first popemobile was a ceremonial chair, a sedia gestatoria carried by a cadre of footmen who lifted the pope aloft to be seen by crowds on special occasions.
The real stars of the show came later with the motorized popemobiles - but which took the top honors? We’ve included several contenders to avoid another papal schism.
Mercedes-Benz Nurburg 460 designed by Ferdinand Porsche
1. 1930: The First Popemobile?
Daimler-Benz presented a sumptuous gift to the Vatican in 1930 - a Mercedes-Benz Nurburg 460 boasting 80 horsepower, a top speed of 68 miles per hour, a silk carpet and intricately embossed doves. Pope Pius XI, an aficionado of automotive craftsmanship, engaged in an hour-long test drive through the Vatican Gardens before declaring the vehicle "a masterpiece... a wonder of modern technology." Even in the role of a passenger, the Pope found himself at ease, seated in a rear compartment furnished with a single seat in crimson brocade reminiscent of the papal throne.
The Graham-Paige 837 donated by the US Graham brothers in 1929
2. Graham-Paige 837
In a gesture of profound significance, American brothers Joseph, Robert, and Ray Graham donated a magnificent gift to the Vatican - a Graham-Paige 837, distinguished by its 120 bhp, 5279 cc straight eight engine. The generous contribution marked the 1929 Conciliation Treaty and the Graham-Paige 837 became a symbol of diplomatic concord. Pope Pius XI used it to travel to the Basilica of St. John Lateran to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination in December 1929.
Citroen - Lictoria C6
3. Citroën - Lictoria C6
Not to be outdone, Citroën Italy gifted Pope Pius XI a Lictoria C6 in 1930, painted in deep burgundy with gilded chrome finishings to burnish its solemn appearance.
The rear passenger compartment was equipped with a throne room and the interior resembled a 1700s Venetian-style drawing room, with a papal throne in a crimson brocade.
Due to its lavish appearance, the papal Citroënhas traveled only 119 miles in the past century.
Mercedes-Benz 300-D convertible limousine
4. Mercedes-Benz 300-D
Pope John XXIII embraced the spirit of 1960 with a specially adapted long-wheelbase version of the Mercedes-Benz 300 Landaulet that allows rear passengers to be open to the air while the driver is separated and under a fixed roof. The curvaceous convertible was the first modern model delivered after WWII. The extended wheelbase 300-D W189 was an 18.4-foot-long car and powered by an inline six-cylinder engine delivering 160 bhp transmitted via a three-speed automatic transmission. Its top speed was 99 miles an hour although there’s no suggestion Pope John XXIII or his driver put pedal to the metal.
Swiss Guard: The 135 soldiers are called ‘the world's smallest army’
5. The Swiss Guard
For more than five centuries, the illustrious Swiss Guard has stood as the unwavering shield for the pontiff, but who exactly are these intriguing figures in vibrant uniforms and sleek black suits? The story traces back to 1505 when Pope Julius II and Swiss Cardinal Schinner signed a treaty, entrusting the safety of the pope to the Swiss mercenaries.
Since then, they have guarded the pope and popemobile on domestic and international trips. The Swiss Guard carry ceremonial weapons but - much like the US Secret Service - it’s best not to stand in their way. They also carry pistols, rifles, and submachine guns, and train with the Swiss Armed Forces. In addition to the Guards, the Vatican also relies on its gendarme corps, a 130-member police force.
This story is part of our weekly briefing. Sign up to receive the FREE briefing to your inbox.
The first popemobile was a ceremonial chair, a sedia gestatoria carried by a cadre of footmen who lifted the pope aloft to be seen by crowds on special occasions.
The real stars of the show came later with the motorized popemobiles - but which took the top honors? We’ve included several contenders to avoid another papal schism.
Mercedes-Benz Nurburg 460 designed by Ferdinand Porsche
1. 1930: The First Popemobile?
Daimler-Benz presented a sumptuous gift to the Vatican in 1930 - a Mercedes-Benz Nurburg 460 boasting 80 horsepower, a top speed of 68 miles per hour, a silk carpet and intricately embossed doves. Pope Pius XI, an aficionado of automotive craftsmanship, engaged in an hour-long test drive through the Vatican Gardens before declaring the vehicle "a masterpiece... a wonder of modern technology." Even in the role of a passenger, the Pope found himself at ease, seated in a rear compartment furnished with a single seat in crimson brocade reminiscent of the papal throne.
The Graham-Paige 837 donated by the US Graham brothers in 1929
2. Graham-Paige 837
In a gesture of profound significance, American brothers Joseph, Robert, and Ray Graham donated a magnificent gift to the Vatican - a Graham-Paige 837, distinguished by its 120 bhp, 5279 cc straight eight engine. The generous contribution marked the 1929 Conciliation Treaty and the Graham-Paige 837 became a symbol of diplomatic concord. Pope Pius XI used it to travel to the Basilica of St. John Lateran to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination in December 1929.
Citroen - Lictoria C6
3. Citroën - Lictoria C6
Not to be outdone, Citroën Italy gifted Pope Pius XI a Lictoria C6 in 1930, painted in deep burgundy with gilded chrome finishings to burnish its solemn appearance.
The rear passenger compartment was equipped with a throne room and the interior resembled a 1700s Venetian-style drawing room, with a papal throne in a crimson brocade.
Due to its lavish appearance, the papal Citroënhas traveled only 119 miles in the past century.
Mercedes-Benz 300-D convertible limousine
4. Mercedes-Benz 300-D
Pope John XXIII embraced the spirit of 1960 with a specially adapted long-wheelbase version of the Mercedes-Benz 300 Landaulet that allows rear passengers to be open to the air while the driver is separated and under a fixed roof. The curvaceous convertible was the first modern model delivered after WWII. The extended wheelbase 300-D W189 was an 18.4-foot-long car and powered by an inline six-cylinder engine delivering 160 bhp transmitted via a three-speed automatic transmission. Its top speed was 99 miles an hour although there’s no suggestion Pope John XXIII or his driver put pedal to the metal.
Swiss Guard: The 135 soldiers are called ‘the world's smallest army’
5. The Swiss Guard
For more than five centuries, the illustrious Swiss Guard has stood as the unwavering shield for the pontiff, but who exactly are these intriguing figures in vibrant uniforms and sleek black suits? The story traces back to 1505 when Pope Julius II and Swiss Cardinal Schinner signed a treaty, entrusting the safety of the pope to the Swiss mercenaries.
Since then, they have guarded the pope and popemobile on domestic and international trips. The Swiss Guard carry ceremonial weapons but - much like the US Secret Service - it’s best not to stand in their way. They also carry pistols, rifles, and submachine guns, and train with the Swiss Armed Forces. In addition to the Guards, the Vatican also relies on its gendarme corps, a 130-member police force.
Pope John Paul II’s converted Ford Transit used in Ireland in 1979
6. From Popemobile to Party-mobile
By the late 1970s, the popemobile had become the standard for navigating the pontiff through crowds and it was left to Ford in Cork, Ireland, to manufacture the latest incarnation before John Paul II's visit in 1979.
The vehicle - a D-Series Ford upgraded to a Mercedes Benz truck - resembled a Roman chariot adorned with the Papal crest. It took center stage during the Pope's address in Dublin's Phoenix Park where the pontiff called for an end to political violence.
The 15-seater converted Ford Transit was making headlines of a very different nature in 2017, however. Bought by the Dublin Wax Museum, the popemobile underwent a $75,000 makeover so it could double as a party vehicle, proving to be a popular choice for bachelor and bachelorette parties. A divine transformation indeed.
The pope was shot four times in 1981, a turning point for security
7. The assassination attempt
Pope John Paul II was in an open-top Fiat 1107 Nuova Campagnola during an assassination attempt in Italy, a major turning point for papal security. (Mehmet Ali Ağca, a professional assassin, was arrested in 1981 and the Fiat was retired until the last years of John Paul II’s papacy.) The shooting led to the introduction of armored popemobiles including the Mercedes-Benz 230 GE, with bodywork furnished with bulletproof glazing and a top speed of 81 mph. Some of the modified popemobiles since, which weigh up to three tons, even require special transmissions to slowly navigate through crowds.
8. Secretive shipping
Two converted Mercedes M-Class popemobiles arrived by road in secure containers ahead of the pontiff’s 2010 visit to the UK - with plenty of time for a British-appointed police officer/driver to learn how to maneuver them. The Mercedes-Benz M-Class sport utility vehicle boasted a 360-degree view and a chair that was elevated into the upper level by a hydraulic lift, allowing crowds to easily see the pontiff behind the large sheets of bullet-proof glass. Mercedes M-Class popemobiles reportedly have an average speed of six mph, but they can sprint off at break-neck speeds if needed - a display that was thankfully not necessary.
9. The Humble Fiat
Pope Francis’ 2015 US visit signified a refreshing new approach - a back-to-basics Fiat 500 Lounge Hatchback minus many of the bells and whistles. Even Voguetook note with a story headlined: ‘A Love Letter to the Fiat 500’. Apparently, the pontiff rides in a Ford Focus at home, so his US appearance signaled his practical nature. While the starting price for the Fiat was a modest $24,695, the resale price was less than humble. The pope’s used car was sold for $300,000 to philanthropist Miles Nadal, who bought the popemobile at an auction to support nonprofit charities.
The pope’s hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai
10. The Green Popemobile
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan donated two hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirais for Pope Francis’ 2019 visit, the ‘ultimate zero-emissions cars‘ powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system with a range of about 300 miles while emitting only water, according to Toyota magazine. The 17-foot long, nine-foot-high hydrogen-powered saloon allowed the Pope to stand during his tour. Like many popemobiles, the vehicle plates were registered in Vatican City with the prefix SCV (Latin for Status Civitatis Vaticanae or Vatican City State).
An artist's impression of the pedal-powered popemobile
What next - the Divine Drive-by?
Can an armored, pedal-powered popemobile be far behind? The carbon-neutral popemobile was reportedly commissioned after Pope Benedict expressed his desire for a green vehicle but it’s been mooted for years without making an appearance. Some question whether the pedal popemobile is really the product of fertile imaginations. While we’re not losing faith, we’ll believe the ‘blessed bike’ when we see it.
This story is part of our weekly briefing. Sign up to receive the FREE briefing to your inbox.
Gadgets & Gifts
Put your spy skills to work with these fabulous choices from secret notepads & invisible inks to Hacker hoodies & high-tech handbags. We also have an exceptional range of rare spy books, including many signed first editions.
We all have valuable spy skills - your mission is to discover yours. See if you have what it takes to be a secret agent, with our authentic spy skills evaluation* developed by a former Head of Training at British Intelligence. It's FREE so share & compare with friends now!
.jpg)
