General Motors presented on November 4 at the Apostolic Nunciature in Lima the two popemobiles that Leo XIV will use during his visit to Peru, from November 11 to 16. These are two Chevrolet Colorado pickup trucks that the company transformed in just 24 days, a period that included technical and operational testing, and that were blessed by Cardinal Pedro Barreto, Archbishop Emeritus of Huancayo.
Diego Novoa, General Manager of General Motors in Peru, stated at the event that “once again it is a great honor to be part of His Holiness’s visit to Peru.” For his part, the Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Paolo Rocco Gualtieri, emphasized that the visit “represents for many faithful a return home.” Also in attendance were Cardinal Carlos Castillo, Archbishop of Lima, Monsignor Carlos García Camader, and the Minister of Transport and Communications, Angello Tangherlini.
Removable cabin and retractable ladder
The two pickups left the General Motors plant in São José dos Campos (Brazil) and were adapted by the specialized firm Engesig. They feature a 2.8-liter turbodiesel engine with 204 horsepower, 4×4 traction, and an eight-speed automatic transmission, in addition to six airbags and advanced driver assistance systems.
In the rear, they have a flat, carpeted floor on which the papal seat and two other seats for companions are placed, along with a retractable ladder, handrails, and supports so that the Pope can move standing or seated. The cabin is removable and equipped with transparent panels that allow visual contact with the faithful, while the roof was modified to facilitate communication between the Pope and the driver, according to a requirement from the Vatican.
Use during the trip and subsequent destination
The vehicles arrived in Peru on a LATAM Cargo freighter. One will be used in Lima and Cusco, and the other in Chiclayo and Pucallpa. They will be accompanied by a convoy of Chevrolet Traverse pickups, which will serve for the delegation’s transport and as backup. General Motors personnel will provide technical assistance throughout the visit.
Once the trip is over, both popemobiles will be displayed at Chevrolet dealerships in Lima and then donated to the Apostolic Nunciature. The company had already adapted two Chevrolet Traverse vehicles for Pope Francis’s visit to Peru in 2018.
The Peruvian stay is part of Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, whose briefing was presented by the Prefect of Communication, Montse Alvarado.