popemobile ( from '' pope '' and '' automobile '' ) is a specially designed motor vehicle used by the Catholic Pope during public appearances . It is usually considered as the successor to the antiquated '' sedia gestatoria '' and was designed to allow the pope to be more visible when greeting large crowds . There have been many different designs for popemobiles since Pope Paul VI first used a modified Lincoln Continental to greet crowds in New York City in 1965 . Some are open air while others have bulletproof glass walls to enclose the pope ( deemed necessary after the 1981 Pope John Paul II assassination attempt ) . Some allow the pope to sit , while others are designed to accommodate him standing . The variety of popemobiles allows the Roman Curia to select an appropriate one for each usage depending upon the level of security needed , distance , speed of travel , and the pope 's preferences
Pope John Paul II assassination attempt
Pope John Paul II assassination attempt
Popemobile