The Popemobiles Pope Francis used in the Philippines

The successful visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines has strengthened the faith of the Catholic nation. During his visit, the Pope elegantly drove onto the streets of Metro Manila and Tacloban thanks to three very humble Popemobiles. We take a look at the three Popemobiles Pope Francis used during his five day papal visit to the Philippines. According to Vatican communications, these vehicles were chosen because they were accessible and visible, meaning the Pope could meet many people while constantly being on the move. Bishop Ruperto Santos, chair of the papal visit’s Committee on Transportation said the Popemobiles were “simple which defines the nature of his holiness, simplicity and availability to all people, especially the simple and ordinary."

Customized 2015 Isuzu D-Max

The first vehicle the Holy Father was carried in was a customized Isuzu D-Max pickup. It was used to welcome the Pope at Villamor Air Base on Thursday, January 15. It was also used to ferry Pope Francis to his exclusive mass at the Manila Cathedral and to his meeting with families at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Its customization took two months to complete and it was equipped with imported Italian leather and had the official Vatican emblem. The pickup's flat bed was redesigned with steel frames that supported a carbon fiber roof and seated three people- the Pope and two other passengers. Its cargo door was also removed and replaced with stepping boards.

Jeep-inspired Popemobile

Turning an iconic Filipino vehicle into one of the Pope's rides was a spectacular idea. The jeepney-inspired Popemobile’s highlight was during the motorcade around Quirino Grandstand prior to the mass attended by around 6 million people. It also sported the Vatican seal on its body and had an elevated roof with the letters ECTX. After the Pope’s visit, the local Catholic Church revealed plans to actually give the vehicle as a customary gift to Vatican. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle explained to the Pope that “here in the Philippines, the jeepney is the most common way of commuting and it is the one used by ordinary people, simple people." And he said he liked it. We might send it to him in Rome as a gift of the people.”

Kia World Youthday Popemobile

Storm-stricken Taclobanons saw the Pope in a Kia utility vehicle which he also used during the 2014 World Youthday in South Korea. Braving the rain brought by typhoon Amang, this vehicle carried the Pope around Leyte where he also held a mass for the victims of typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan). The pontiff's visit to Leyte was cut short because of the stormy weather. He boarded a plane back into Manila at around 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17. While his close to 5 hours stay was short, thousands of Catholic faithfuls followed the Pope on his visit.

Volkswagen Touran (closed vehicle)

The only closed vehicle that the Pope rode in during his papal visit was the Volkswagen Touran, a compact MPV. Pope Francis rode this car on his way to the Malacañang palace on Friday, January 16. According to state newspapers, the Pope rode in this car (instead of the usual open-door Popemobile) because the nature of his visit to the palace was primarily formal as acting head of the Vatican City state. According to Volkswagen Philippines, the diesel-powered Touran has a price tag of P1.775 million.