Popemobile

American  

[pohp-muh-beel] / ˈpoʊp məˌbil /

noun

(often lowercase)

1. Informal. any of various vehicles used to transport the pope when he appears in public, typically equipped with bulletproof glass.

---

Popemobile British  

/ ˈpəʊpməˌbiːl /

noun

1. a small open-top car used by the Pope to move amongst crowds

---

Etymology

Origin of Popemobile

First recorded in 1975–80; Pope + -mobile

Example Sentences

As the Popemobile made its way from the port to the waterfront, people jostled against metal barricades to get a better vantage point for smartphone videos.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 2, 2025

He made the decision to dispense, when possible, with the bulletproof Popemobile — a “sardine can,” he called it — that would have kept him walled off from his flock.

From Washington Post • Jan. 2, 2020

It was easy to get to the front of the crowd to watch Francis go by in his Popemobile.

From BBC • Aug. 29, 2018

“It was very emotional when we saw the pope in 1979,” said Tina Stenson-Cunningham, 63, holding a railing by the road where the Popemobile was expected to pass.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2018

G became the iconic Popemobile of choice in 1980.

From The Verge • Jun. 18, 2018