Vatican unveils popemobile exhibition showcasing vehicles used since 1930

The Vatican opened a popemobile exhibition on Tuesday, displaying the armored vehicles that popes have used since 1930 to travel among crowds in Rome and abroad. The show, held in the Vatican Museums’ new “Mobility and Faith” gallery, features three historic popemobiles, including the 1930 open‑top model used by Pope Pius XI and the bullet‑proof version first seen with Pope John Paul II in 1979. Visitors can walk around the vehicles, see original design sketches, and watch footage of papal processions from the past century.

The exhibition comes as the Holy See reflects on a century of papal outreach that has increasingly relied on technology and security. After the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981, the Vatican upgraded the popemobile with bullet‑proof glass and reinforced chassis, reshaping the image of a pope who could still mingle with the faithful. Pope Francis has continued the tradition, using a simpler, more open design to emphasize humility while still protecting his safety. The display highlights how the vehicle has become a symbol of the Church’s balance between accessibility and the need for protection in a world where public figures face heightened risks.

Curators say the exhibit will travel to major Catholic sites worldwide, starting with a stop at the Basilica of Saint Peter in June and then moving to New York’s Museum of the City of New York later in the year. The Vatican hopes the tour will draw attention to the evolving role of the papacy in modern society and spark dialogue about the intersection of faith, technology, and security. Admission is free for pilgrims, and the Vatican plans to add interactive digital stations that let visitors experience a virtual papal procession from the driver’s seat.