Pope Francis once had a very unusual custom car gifted to him for a visit to Japan
- Did you know that the late Pope Francis had an unusual custom car?
- He was gifted a custom Toyota Popemobile for a visit to Japan
- The car is very unusual due to the way it is powered
Published on Apr 25, 2025 at 9:51 AM (UTC+4)
by Daisy Edwards
Last updated on Apr 25, 2025 at 9:21 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
Did you know Pope Francis once had a very unusual custom car gifted to him for a visit to Japan?
The very special Popemobile was created by Toyota and was gifted to his late Holiness by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan (CBCJ).
The adapted Toyota Mirai Popemobile was interesting for a few special reasons, including being adapted to suit his mobility needs.
Most interestingly though, this particular Popemobile was created knowing about the Pope’s love of protecting the environment and so it was powered by Hydrogen.
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Pope Francis and his very unusual Popemobile from Japan
The late Pope Francis had a surprising collection of modified cars created for special events and meetups.
He was gifted a very interesting version of the Popemobile from Toyota in Japan by Reverend Father Domenico Makoto Wada (representing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan) and His Excellency Seiji Okada (Ambassador of Japan to the Holy See).
The Popemobile in question was a Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen powered saloon car, named after the future which was first launched and mass-produced in 2014.
Pope my ride
The holy custom car was 5.1 meters and a had a height of 2.7 meters so that he could stand up and be visible to the people who had come to see him.
Pope Francis had a deep interest in global environmental issues, so the Toyota Mirai being completely hydrogen powered with a range of approximately 300 miles and emitting only water was perfect for him.
While there are many different iterations of the Popemobile – including this epic Mercedes-Benz G580 EV that is estimated to cost more than $500,000 – this one is arguably top of the Popes.
Other models used by Francis during his 12 year papacy included a Fiat 500L, a Jeep Wrangler, a Isuzu D-Max, and a Hyundai Ioniq 5.
The Popemobile is recognized the world over, and has even been honored by Carlex with this 6-wheeled monster.
Daisy is a technology journalist, covering artificial intelligence, consumer tech, Apple news, cryptocurrency, digital business, and emerging technologies. Since joining the team in 2025, she has reported on everything from AI-powered startups and major iOS updates to viral tech hacks and the latest developments in the digital economy. Drawing on her background in automotive journalism and a degree in History and Journalism from Goldsmiths, University of London, Daisy specializes in breaking down complex technology stories into clear, engaging reporting for a global audience. Her work focuses on the products, platforms, and innovations that are transforming the way people work, communicate, and interact with technology. Daisy has gained first-hand access to some of the world's most talked-about technologies and innovators, including meeting Tesla's Optimus humanoid robot during its first European appearance in London. She has also discussed the future of space exploration with an astronaut, bringing unique insights and real-world perspectives to her coverage of emerging technology.
