These three vans have been turned into Papamóvil during Pope Leo XIV's visit to South America

The vehicles that allow the Pope to visit the destinations on his itinerary safely are popularly known as the Papamóvil. These are vehicles prepared to carry the Pope in the rear, so that everyone can see him and so they also offer a degree of protection against possible attacks. In the case of the recent visit to South America, Pope Leo XIV travelled in three very different models.

The Toyota Hilux, the Chevrolet S10 and the Fiat Titano have served as the basis for creating these special units for the Pope. These are models that are manufactured in the countries that have received the Pontiff’s visit, so they have added a local touch to the visit.

A Toyota Hilux with an old chassis but a modern design

The model that has attracted the most attention has been the Toyota Hilux. The ninth generation of the Japanese pick-up has been on sale in the European market since November 2025, but it has not yet arrived in Argentina. That is why, although this variant features the new design, the chassis on which it is built belongs to the eighth generation.

To create this Papamóvil, the company Vallé Equipamientos focused on equipping this model with all the features the Papamóvil needs to be the vehicle expected. The modifications include the front end, the wheel arches, the lights and the interior, all to adapt it to the specifications set by the Vatican.

The polycarbonate dome covering the load area of the single-cab pick-up increases its total height by 3.1 metres. A throne-type seat is placed in the centre of this dome, upholstered in white eco-leather. Two additional folding seats complete the equipment of this addition.

To get in, an exclusive staircase has been fitted to the model at the tailgate. The bodywork is white, obviously, and this colour predominates throughout the vehicle. It also carries a registration plate from the Vatican City State, pennants of that state and the papal coat of arms on the sides.

The engine has not changed in this version and offers the same turbodiesel engine fitted to the standard Hilux. The rear leaf springs and shock absorbers have been recalibrated to suit the new conditions and provide stable, comfortable handling. Toyota Argentina built two units of the Papamóvil to meet the Pope’s needs during his visit to Argentina.

The other Papamóvils of the visit

During his stay in Uruguay, the vehicle chosen was the Fiat Titano. It was transformed by the local company Nordex. It is based on the single-cab variant and shares its chassis with Changan models. The 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine is the same as that of the Peugeot Landtrek and the Ram 1200. The specific modifications are very similar to the previous one, as they all follow a pattern set by the Vatican.

As for the pick-up chosen to travel through Peru, it was the Chevrolet S10. The model is manufactured at the São José dos Campos plant in Brazil. In this case, the coachbuilder in charge was Engesig. As for the engine, it is a 2.8-litre turbodiesel unit.