What Happened to Pope Francis’s Popemobile?

Pope Francis’s Popemobile hasn’t disappeared or been replaced by a single new model; rather, he continues to use a rotating fleet of vehicles tailored to each event, with the Vatican gradually shifting toward greener, electric and hydrogen-powered options. The most notable incident involving the Popemobile in recent years was in 2017, when a sudden stop in Cartagena, Colombia, led to a minor facial injury for the Pope. Today, the “Popemobile” is best understood as a set of customized vehicles—some open, some enclosed—that are deployed depending on crowd size, security needs, and local logistics.

Contents

A Moving Target: The Popemobile Is a Fleet, Not One Car
Safety Incidents: What Actually Happened
The Green Turn: Electric and Hydrogen Popemobiles
Key Moments and Milestones
Notable Vehicles Associated with Pope Francis
Summary

A Moving Target: The Popemobile Is a Fleet, Not One Car

“Popemobile” is a catch-all term, not a single permanent vehicle. Since the start of Francis’s pontificate in 2013, the Vatican has drawn on different models—open-air pickups for close contact with crowds, glass-topped SUVs for higher security, and modest sedans for transfers—adjusting the choice to the context of each trip or audience. Francis has long favored simpler, lower and more open vehicles when feasible, underscoring his emphasis on accessibility and proximity to people.

From Open-Top Rides to Enclosed Platforms

Early in his pontificate, Francis made headlines by opting for relatively simple, open configurations—such as a white Jeep-style vehicle—for public loops in St. Peter’s Square and on foreign trips. For events requiring enhanced protection or visibility, the Vatican has also used enclosed, elevated platforms built onto SUVs, continuing a practice that predates his papacy.

Charity, Display, and Local Builds

Vehicles associated with papal trips are often locally sourced and sometimes repurposed afterward. Following Pope Francis’s 2015 U.S. visit, for example, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia auctioned two Fiat 500L cars used for ground transport, raising tens of thousands of dollars for charity. In other countries, locally built popemobiles—such as pickup-based platforms—have been displayed, donated, or retained for future ceremonial use.

Safety Incidents: What Actually Happened

Despite the informality of many of Pope Francis’s public drives, serious incidents have been rare. The most widely reported mishap occurred on September 10, 2017, in Cartagena, Colombia, when the Popemobile braked abruptly and the Pope was thrown forward, sustaining a bruise and small cut near his eye. He resumed his schedule after receiving simple first aid. Beyond that, the Vatican has periodically adjusted routes and vehicle choices in response to crowd dynamics and security assessments, but there have been no recent accidents that significantly changed Popemobile policy.

The Green Turn: Electric and Hydrogen Popemobiles

The Vatican has accelerated efforts to reduce the footprint of its transportation fleet, and the Popemobile has been part of that shift. Donations and partnerships have brought zero-emission platforms into service alongside traditional models, reflecting Francis’s public advocacy for environmental stewardship.

What’s in Use Now (2025)

As of 2025, the Vatican employs a mix of vehicles: open-top platforms for close-contact events when security permits; enclosed, elevated SUVs for large crowds or sensitive venues; and compact, low-emission cars for short transfers inside Vatican City. Hydrogen and fully electric options have been introduced alongside legacy vehicles, and the broader Vatican fleet is on a path toward full electrification by 2030.

Key Moments and Milestones

The following list outlines notable developments that help explain where the Popemobile has been—and where it’s going.

2013–2016: Francis frequently uses open, simpler platforms to be closer to crowds, reinforcing a more accessible image of the papacy.

September 10, 2017: In Cartagena, Colombia, a sudden stop in the Popemobile leads to a minor facial injury for the Pope; he continues his visit.

2019–2020: Following his 2019 trip to Japan, Toyota donates hydrogen fuel-cell Mirai-based Popemobile units to the Vatican, marking a high-profile move toward zero-emission options (delivered in 2020).

2023–2024: The Vatican expands its low- and zero-emission fleet through partnerships aimed at full electrification by 2030, incorporating electric SUVs and compact EVs alongside ceremonial vehicles.

2025: For large-scale events, the Vatican continues to alternate between open and enclosed Popemobile formats, with greener drivetrains increasingly in the mix.

Taken together, these markers show continuity in the Popemobile’s purpose—visibility, safety, and access—while highlighting a clear trend toward cleaner propulsion and flexible configurations.

Notable Vehicles Associated with Pope Francis

Below is a non-exhaustive look at vehicles that have served, or been closely associated with, Pope Francis’s public appearances and transport.

Open-platform pickups (various markets): Used in countries like the Philippines and elsewhere for maximum visibility and proximity.

Jeep-style open vehicles: A hallmark of Francis’s early years for St. Peter’s Square and select trips.

Mercedes-Benz SUV platforms: Enclosed, elevated “classic Popemobile” configurations for higher-security venues.

Toyota Mirai (fuel cell): Hydrogen-powered Popemobile units donated in 2020, symbolizing a turn toward zero-emission papal transport.

Electric SUVs and compact EVs: Newer additions supporting Vatican City’s broader fleet electrification goals toward 2030.

Fiat 500L (U.S. visit, ground transport): Not a Popemobile platform per se, but two units were auctioned in Philadelphia to raise funds for charity after the 2015 visit.

While configurations vary widely, each vehicle is adapted to balance access, visibility, and security—with an increasing emphasis on sustainability.

Summary

The Popemobile hasn’t vanished or been replaced by a single new car. It remains a mix of custom vehicles—open when possible, enclosed when necessary—chosen event by event. The only significant incident of note in recent years was a minor injury during a 2017 stop in Colombia. Today, the Vatican is steadily incorporating zero-emission platforms, including hydrogen and electric options, as part of its plan to decarbonize its fleet by 2030, ensuring the Popemobile continues to evolve without losing its core purpose: keeping the Pope visible, safe, and close to the people.

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