On this episode of Morning Air, John Morales and Fr. Marcel Taillon take us on a holy joyride through the history of papal transportation. But this isn’t just trivia about cars—it’s a moving reflection on how popes have literally and symbolically stayed connected to the people of God over the centuries.
Fr. Taillon recently visited the papal garage at Castel Gandolfo, where nine historic papal vehicles are on display. From horse-drawn carriages and velvet-covered thrones to the black convertibles used by Pope St. John Paul II, each vehicle tells a story, not just about the times, but about the evolving mission of the papacy. Even today, Pope Leo XIV rides in a custom open-air hybrid Mercedes that reflects both pastoral availability and Vatican City’s ecological goals.
Why do papal vehicles matter? Because they’re more than just transportation—they’re pastoral instruments. As Fr. Taillon put it, “The Pope’s visibility is part of his mission.” Whether waving to massive crowds in St. Peter’s Square or reaching out to bless a child, the openness of the papal vehicle helps bring the Church’s spiritual father closer to his flock.
Of course, things changed dramatically after the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II. Bulletproof glass and heightened security became necessary features. But even now, Pope Leo XIV rides shotgun in a vehicle designed to communicate humility and connection rather than distance.
The episode also dives into a little “furniture theology.” Yes, what the Pope sits on matters. Fr. Taillon explained how every papal seat, whether a medieval throne or a modern car seat, is an extension of the Chair of Peter. It’s not about luxury—it’s about representing the apostolic authority passed down from Christ to Peter and now to his successors.
Fun fact: Pope John Paul II wasn’t a fan of the term “popemobile.” He found it too cartoonish—more like the Batmobile than the Barque of Peter. Morales and Fr. Taillon light-heartedly proposed “papal vehicle”, a more dignified alternative. Maybe it’s time for a naming contest on Relevant Radio?
This episode reminds us that the Pope is not a celebrity, but a shepherd. His vehicle, like his ministry, is meant to move with and among the people. Whether rolling through Rome or waving from a hybrid van, Pope Leo XIV continues a sacred tradition: leading the flock not from behind closed doors, but from the road.
