Popemobiles—vehicles used by the pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church, for public appearances—have included models from Mercedes-Benz, Fiat, Jeep, and Cadillac. They are specially designed to provide the pope security and to enhance his visibility in large crowds.
Unique features of Popemobiles include: * License Plate The official license plate is S.C.V.-1, which stands for “State of Vatican City.” * Security Following the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, bulletproof glass and armored plating became standard. * Varied Designs Designs range from open-air convertibles to glass-sided buses, adapted for different needs and locations. * Customization Features such as adjustable throne seats, two-way radios, and air conditioning have been included. * Modest Options Pope Benedict XVI was the first to use hybrid vehicles, and Pope Francis favored simpler, open-air vehicles, sometimes avoiding the Popemobile altogether.