Holy Rollers: The 7 Coolest Popemobiles

Earlier this week, Pope Benedict XVI revealed that he would like his next car to be an all-electric model. Yep, His Holiness is looking to lower his carbon footprint. How noble. We're sure Benedict will have no problem getting an automaker to produce a more environmentally friendly Popemobile. He's the Pope! But if you're thinking there's a chance the Pope will get chauffeured around in a Prius or a Chevy Volt, think again. He has a tradition to uphold. Since 1930, Popes have been driven in the best cars in the world. They've had their pick of Benzs, Land Rovers, and even cars that weren't meant for transporting people. The Pope's whip game is, and has been, vicious—so much so that we decided to take a look back at 7 of the Coolest Popemobiles in history.

Years used: 1930–1960

Used by: Pope Pius XI

Complex says: The first-ever Popemobile was, by our estimations, the most luxurious. Using Mercedes-Benz's top-of-the-line sedan, the Nurburg 460, as a base, MB's engineers put together the most opulently designed limo ever seen. Pope Pius' ride was delivered with a silk-covered rear seat and a never-before-seen "control panel" that allowed His Holiness to instruct the driver from the comfort of the back seat.

Years used: 1965–1967

Used by: Pope Paul VI

Complex says: With 30+ years as the Pope's sole auto manufacturer, it was business as usual when Mercedes-Benz delivered Pope Paul VI his all-black chariot. Based on what was considered the luxe limo of the time, MB chopped the top, threw on a big-ass ragtop, a two-way radio for hollering at the driver, a new hydraulic suspension, a rear-seat cooling system, and an electronically controlled rear seat.

Years used: 1979

Used by: Pope John Paul II

Complex says: When Pope John Paul II touched down in Ireland in 1979, it was the first time a Pope had set foot on Irish soil. For the historical trip, his team asked for something a bit more rugged than a Benz limo. What they got was a reinforced and completely converted Ford D-Series work truck. It was slathered in papal colors and given a tall cabin with large glass windows so the Pontiff could look out and greet the thousands of people that came out during his tour. If you're thinking the Pope's whip game fell off with this, you're wrong. The carpet was made of silk and allegedly cost $1,000 a yard.

Years used: 1980—1982

Used by: Pope John Paul II

Complex says: Linking back up with Mercedes, the Pontiff asked for a car that would allow him to see his people more easily and make him seem more accessible. MB came through with what would be the go-to design of modern-day Popemobiles. Using the G-wagon as a base, a tall, glass-enclosed tower was built with a special seat for the Pope to sit and wave from.

Years used: 1982–2002

Used by: Pope John Paul II

Complex says: After a sniper attempted to take his life in Vatican City a year earlier, John Paul II was given the first bulletproof Popemobile. Built for his visit to the U.K. in 1982, the Land Rover-based transporter had its panels reinforced with bomb-proof materials and all of its glass replaced with bulletproof glass. It's like 50 said: "You could shoot a big gun, that shit be like, ping, ping!"

Years used: 1982–1988

Used by: Pope John Paul II

Complex says: The Land Rover was cool, but if someone tried to kill us, we'd roll around in something like this. Built for John Paul II's trip to Scotland, this converted Leyland Constructor truck was treated to the full bulletproof makeover and had an enclosed platform that propped the Pope five feet in the air so no one could touch him.

Years used: 2007—

Used by: Pope Benedict XVI

Complex says: For his first Popemobile, the current Pontiff, Benedict XVI, wanted something special, a ride he could really stunt in while still feeling secure. Mercedes-Benz took all that and came up with a Vaticanmystic white G500. It's the first Popemobile able to go from an open-air configuration to a completely bulletproof car. With all that security, we can see why he would feel so comfortable with the top down.