It’s a conundrum for any newly appointed boss – does my company car send out the right message? With an estimated flock of 1.4 billion Catholics, Pope Leo XIV’s choice of motor is sure to lift some eyes to the heavens.
While His Holiness will remain adorned in traditional white cassock and skullcap, the Apostolic Palace’s latest incumbent may choose to express himself with an automotive upgrade, one that truly reflects his position as Supreme Pontiff.
But will it be white smoke out of the exhaust, or an up-to-the-minute electric car? Given his American nationality, the new pontiff could be patriotic with a Cadillac or a Tesla.
Pope Leo XIV might seek divine guidance from his predecessor’s fleet. However, the contents of late Pope Francis’s garage are best described as a broad church. Widely remembered for his simplicity and humbleness, the 88-year-old’s holy wheels were eclectic bordering on eccentric.
Pope Leo XIV greeting the crowd after being elected by the conclave on May 8 2025 – Getty
Among his favourites was a white Renault 4 GTL, which Pope Francis used for personal journeys close to home. The 1984 runabout was gifted to him 12 years ago by Father Renzo Zocca with 190,000 miles on the clock. Why the Renault? The leader of the Roman Catholic faith had once owned an identical car in his native Argentina.
When His Holiness wasn’t enjoying the Renault’s dashboard-mounted gearlever around Vatican City, he chose to be a passenger in a nondescript Ford Focus. The dark blue hatchback dated back to 2007 and allowed the Pontiff to pass his legions of adoring followers in relative anonymity.
It was a different story in 2017 when Lamborghini presented Pope Francis with a Huracan supercar. The Pontiff duly signed the bonnet before the Lamborghini was auctioned for charity. Built by the company’s Ad Personam customisation department, the 200mph supercar raised huge media attention along with £600,000 for worthy causes.
In 2017, Pope Francis was gifted a Lamborghini Huracan. The car’s sale at auction raised over £600,000 for charity – AP
Another of the Pope’s more unlikely choices was delivered last summer, in time for a visit to east Timor. The Gladiator is based on a Jeep Wrangler pick-up, the Pope’s version featured a raft of bespoke features, including a leather-trimmed throne raised on hydraulic lifts.
And while Pope Francis was also spotted in a Fiat 500L and a Dacia Duster during his time in office, plus a Kia Soul on a trip to South Korea, his final choice before he died on Easter Monday was from a marque almost as iconic as his own.
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen G580 was the first electric popemobile. Heavily modified to cope with the unusual demands of the job, the bespoke behemoth was delivered with a detachable roof. Underneath, a centrally-mounted “captain’s chair” allowed the Pope to swivel and wave in every direction.
In accordance with his final wishes, one of Pope Francis’s vehicles was transformed into a mobile health clinic for the children of Gaza – AP
Earlier this month, Pope Francis’s legacy as a humble man was highlighted again when one of his popemobiles was transformed into a mobile health clinic for the children of Gaza. The Vatican said it was the Pope’s “final wish” that the converted Mitsubishi should aid a humanitarian cause.
Whatever car arrives at the Papal Apartment over the coming months, Pope Leo XIV’s choice will join a long list of popemobiles dating back to 1929. Here are some of our favourites, including the scandalously-named Lictoria Sex.
1929
Graham-Paige Type 837
The Detroit-built Graham-Paige Type 837 became the first papal vehicle used outside Vatican City in 1929 – Getty
The first motorised papal vehicles were gifts to celebrate the reconciliation between the Italian government and the Holy See, which established the Vatican City as an independent state. A Detroit-built Graham-Page became the first papal vehicle used outside of the Vatican City. For extra comfort, the back seat was removed and a throne installed. The 1929 Type 837 is currently on display at the Vatican Museum.
1930
Citroen Lictoria C6
The Citroen Lictoria C6, which was donated to Pope Pius XI, was scandalously nicknamed the ‘Lictoria Sex’ – Getty
Nicknamed the Lictoria Sex, the Holy See likely had no idea that the burgundy and gold model donated to Pope Pius XI came with such a racy nickname. Presented by the Citroen factory in Milan, the luxurious interior was richly decorated with gold and jewels. Only driven around Vatican City, when restored in 1996 the car had covered only 119 miles.
1930
Mercedes-Benz Nurburg
Similar in design to a Graham-Page, the Nurburg was the first of many Mercedes destined for the Vatican. The German brand won its first contract because their limousine allowed the Pope to travel with two dignitaries and other staff sat on folding seats. The central throne featured buttons to allow His Holiness to communicate with the driver.
1964
Lincoln Continental
Pope Paul VI rode the open-top Lincoln Continental through the streets of New York in 1965 – Getty
Pope Paul VI rode open-top in this humongous limo through the streets of New York in 1965. The visit was the first time a pope had visited the US, addressing the United Nations and conducting a Mass at a football stadium. Measuring 21ft long, the Lincoln was brought back into use a few years later for the triumphant return to Earth of astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
1973
Fiat 1107 Nuova Campagnola
The era of open-top papal transport almost ended in 1981 when Pope John Paul II was shot by a Turkish nationalist in St Peter’s Square. The secondhand car was first registered in Vatican City on May 12 1980 and known as “Papamobile”. It remained in service for only one year and one day and is now on display at the Vatican Museum.
1975
Toyota Land Cruiser
Pope Paul VI refused to use the armchair throne in the Toyota Land Cruiser, preferring to stand and greet crowds (as demonstrated here, in Vatican City in 1979) – Getty
Pope Paul VI may have been the first to use this all-white Land Cruiser but Pope John Paul II was the 4x4s best-known passenger. He famously refused to use the armchair throne fitted in the rear, preferring to stand and greet the crowds instead. According to the Vatican, the Toyota is regarded as the first popemobile.
1979
Ford Transit
Pope John Paul II greets crowds in Dublin in a yellow and white Ford Transit – Getty
It’s hard to believe that His Holiness once navigated the streets of Ireland aboard a van donated by the Dublin Wax Museum. Ford pimped the yellow and white vehicle for the visit, which saw one million people attend Mass at the city’s Phoenix Park stadium. Three decades later, the vehicle was converted into a 15-seater bus to carry stag and hen parties.
1988
Ferrari Mondial
Ferrari isn’t known for people or pope-carriers but when Pope John Paul II visited the company’s factory at Maranello he rode in an open-roof Mondial Spider. Later, His Holiness was gifted a Ferrari Enzo – the car sold at auction in 2015 for £4.5 million, which was later donated to charity.
