All about Popemobiles
Pope Francis is set to visit the Philippines on Jan. 15 to 19, next year. His mode of transport, affectionately called the Popemobile, is already being prepared by local assemblers.
The Popemobile is the informal name for vehicles specially designed for the Pontiff to be more visible when greeting large crowds. The term “Popemobile” was not used until the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. The vehicles were built out of a concern for his safety in the wake of an assignation attempt in St. Peter’s Square in 1981. Before Popemobiles, the head of the Catholic Church was transported on a ceremonial throne, called the sedia gestatoria (gestatorial seat), carried on the shoulders of footmen.
The Popemobile typically features a cab for a driver and front passenger. Behind is a space for the Pope. It varies in design from a fully enclosed, bulletproof glass cube to open air, convertible-style designs.
Like presidential vehicles, the reg- istration plates begin with the letters “SCV” (Status Civitatis Vaticanae) followed by the vehicle fleet number. The registration plate of the Popemobile is typically “SCV 1.” Philippine Popemobiles
For his upcoming visit, Pope Francis will have not one, but two Popemobiles waiting for him.
The first, according to Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, will be an open-type vehicle, granting crowds an unobstructed view of the head of the Catholic Church. This vehicle will transport him while he is in Manila.
During his stay, the Pope will visit the calamity stricken area of Tacloban City on Jan. 17. For this event, the Pontiff will have another vehicle prepared for him. Gencars, Inc. could be one of the coachbuilders being considered to build the Popemobile for Tacloban. The Isuzu dealer, with showrooms in Makati, San Pablo, Batangas, and Legaspi is well known for its custom works. A source from Isuzu Philippines, Corp. had confirmed that Gencars has already ordered an Isuzu D-Max chassis upon which the vehicle could be built. The Tacloban Popemobile will be subjected to inspection by the Swiss Guards to ensure it is safe and bulletproof.
Details on both vehicles are scarce, with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) keeping a tight lid on things for the Pontiff’s security and safety.
Pope Francis’ visit timely marks the 20th anniversary of the Manila World Youth Day presided over by now St. John Paul II. During his 1995 papal visit, he rode in a Popemobile manufactured Francisco Motors, Corp., based on an Anfra. It was funded by voluntary contributions from the private sector, and had bulletproof windows, bombproof parts, and passed inspection by the Swiss Guards. When John Paul II passed away, this Popemobile was briefly borrowed by parish officials of the Quiapo Church to be put on display. It became a pilgrimage destination for Filipino devotees who could not afford to go to the Vatican for the pope’s burial ceremonies. Past Popemobiles
Many automotive manufacturers have produced specially designed vehicles for the Pope. Ford produced a series of cars based on its presidential limousines. Pope John Paul II used a variety of vehicles from a modified Mercedes-Benz G-wagen, M-Class SUV, Range Rover and even a Cadillac. Pope Benedict XVI was provided a modified Mercedes-Benz M-Class Popemobile in São Paulo, Brazil.
More recently, he was presented an all-electric, bulletproof Renault Kangoo Maxi ZE. It is powered by a 60 hp electric motor and a lithium ion battery pack. The battery pack yields a 105-mile range. French coachbuilder Gruau redesigned the interior with two bucket seats to replace the stock taxi-like bench. It has a traditional, all-white paint scheme with the Papal coat of arms.
Pope Francis, on the other hand, avoids traveling in a Popemobile.
“It is true that anything could happen, but let’s face it, at my age I don’t have much to lose,” he said, during an interview with a Spanish newspaper reported by Vatican Radio.
“I know that something could happen to me, but it’s in the hands of God.”
The current head of the Catholic Church prefers to ride the bus with his cardinals. For personal trips, he uses a 40-year-old Renault 4, gifted to him by a Fr. Renzo Zocca from Northern Italy. The vehicle has 186,000 miles on the clock and was presented after he urged Church leaders to give up driving extravagant vehicles.