How Pope Francis Turned His Car Fleet into a Message of Humility

Explore how Pope Francis used his car choices to express modesty, closeness to people, and environmental values. A unique perspective on the papal garage.

When it comes to power—even spiritual power—transport often turns into a symbol. More than just a means of transport, it reflects values, priorities, and a leader’s mindset. Pope Francis stood apart in this regard. His vehicle choices were not about prestige, but about communication. Every car in the pontiff’s garage served as a manifesto—for humility, closeness to people, and environmental responsibility.

Francis set the tone from the very beginning of his pontificate. In 2013, instead of a limousine, he chose to drive a blue Ford Focus. It was a deliberate statement: he didn’t see luxury as necessary and believed clergy should shift their focus from expensive cars to helping the poor. This wasn’t just a vehicle—it was a quiet declaration of intent.

An even more symbolic gesture came when he accepted a vintage 1984 Renault 4 with 300,000 kilometers on the clock—the same model he had driven in his youth. He didn’t just park it in a garage but cheerfully drove it through the Vatican Gardens, as if revisiting his roots. It wasn’t for show, but a genuine attachment to meaningful, humble things.

To Francis, the Popemobile was never a fortress. He rejected the use of armored Mercedes-Benz vehicles, valuing proximity to people over security. Instead, he opted for open-air vehicles that allowed direct contact with the public. Over the years, he rode in a Jeep Wrangler in the U.S., an Isuzu D-Max in the Philippines, and a specially modified Dacia Duster with an open rear and glass roof in Romania.

Even on foreign visits to countries with strict security protocols, Francis consistently requested the simplest cars. He was transported in a Kia Soul in South Korea, a Fiat 500L in the U.S., and a Skoda Rapid in Ireland. In Indonesia, he used a military Pindad Maung, refitted for Vatican purposes. In Singapore, he was seen in a locally assembled Hyundai Ioniq 5, reflecting the future of sustainable automotive design.

Francis embedded environmental values into daily Vatican life, including transportation. His garage increasingly filled with eco-friendly vehicles. Alongside the Ioniq 5, the Vatican used a Nissan Leaf, an Opel Ampera-e, and a hydrogen-powered Toyota Mirai. These choices aligned naturally with the message of Laudato si’, his encyclical emphasizing the need for ecological stewardship.

A defining moment came with the introduction of the world’s first fully electric Popemobile, based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. It featured a lifting seat and cabriolet-style build—but no heavy armor. It wasn’t just a high-tech upgrade, but a final flourish in Francis’ image as a modern-era pontiff: humble, open, and environmentally conscious.

Every vehicle in Pope Francis’ collection served a purpose far beyond transportation. They were silent sermons, showing that modesty can be more powerful than luxury, and openness more effective than isolation. Even behind the wheel of a simple Dacia Duster, he communicated values that resonated with millions—not through speeches, but through choice.