Popes weren’t always carried in fancy popemobiles and papal transport wasn’t always referred to as a popemobile. The unofficial term began to be used in the 1970s after the creation of a series of white all-terrain vehicles with bubble tops for use by pontiffs. 

Here are some facts about the Popemobile you probably never knew

1)Before the use of the Popemobile,Popes used to move around on the shoulders of 12 loyal footmen on portable throne chairs calledsedia gestatoria to greet people during special occasions and processions. 

2)Since 1929,the chosen cars were black and normally from the brand Mercedes Benz, changing the model over the years.

3)From 1980,it started to be painted in white displaying the arms of the Vatican, and includes a plastic transparent cupola with air conditioning and illumination to allow the Pope to stand or sit while traveling and to see and be seen by everyone.

4)While Mercedes has made 12 different ones over the years, SEAT, GMC, Toyota, Fiat, Isuzu, Kia, Hyundai, Land Rover and Jeep have all made models as well.

5)After the 1981 assassination attempt on John Paul II vehicles came fitted with bulletproof glass.

6)John Paul II disliked the name “Popemobile”, saying it was “undignified”.





7)There is no official name for the Popemobile.

8 )In 2006 an armour-plated 24-ton Leyland lorry Popemobile was sold at auction in the UK for GBP 37,000.

9)Many Popemobiles remain in the country they are used in,from a small Seat Panda in Spain to busses (Mexico City), a Ferrari Mondial (Maranello, Italy, a truck Leyland (England) and a Ford (Ireland), and even a military truck FSC Star when the Polish Pope visited his home land.

10)Despite weighing five tons and travels at about 10mph, it can reach speeds of 160mph in order to provide a lightning fast escape.

11)The car comes with a stereo to help pass the time of day.

12)The vehicles always presented the license plate “SCV 1” – Stato della Città del Vaticano (State of the City of the Vatican) and the number 1 symbolizing that it is for the Sovereign Pontiff.

Do you think you know more? Please add...

Source https://autojosh.com/12-interesting-facts-pope-mobile-probably-never-knew/

Hmm

∆ Weighing 5tons. Are you kidding me? ∆

Innoson should be allowed to produce their own popemobile. After all we have catholics in Nigeria and Africa

Nawa ooo....which one com be pope mobile again??

Looks classic though

Pope John Paul visited the guy that tried to assassinate him Mehmet Ali Ağca in prison. He eventually converted to Christianity. Now that is called religion of peace.

no official name ..... let me give it a name... mercedes p350.... p stands for pope

g

Great information!

are you sure

Pope

All this for the pope?

Abeg ee He ain't better than those who trek

Not like the vehicles and heavy convoys of our pastorpreneurs

i even think say na mobile application...mtchewww!

Make una learn o Don't Morata this opportunity

I need me one of these so my haters can see me rolling when I touch bar.

*waving* hi haters

Nice!

Of all the popes, Pope Francis is the best.... and i think our Nigerian pastors can learn a lot from him...

See my Signature

Anti Catholics won't find this thread pleasant at all but that is their business. I'm Catholic and proud.

Yes. In 1998 when Pope John Paul II rode in it along Festival Road Abuja, he waved to me and I waved back.
add am to the list.

Very insightful

Pope Francis

orait..

I like this

Imteresting post. Just what one needs to start a beautiful day.

The car look simple untill you try something funny trying to hurt the pope. Then you will see the real beast of a car

The car look simple untill you try something funny trying to hurt the pope. Then you will see the real beast of a car.

Amadaz:
Anti Catholics won't find this thread pleasant at all but that is their business. I'm Catholic and proud.

Dear friend,you're catholic,that's fine but have you ever wondered why the 10 commandment in the catholic bible is way different from those of other bibles?
Have you wondered what happened to the second and fourth commandment in the catholic bible?
Please compare the Catholic bible with any other bible and decide for yourself if Mary is still alive or dead and is in the grave awaiting the second coming of her lord and saviour Jesus Christ.