Pope Leo XIV travelled by Toyota Hilux during his visit to Argentina, with two specially converted examples of the Australian best-selling ute serving as popemobiles.

The white utes wear the grille and headlights of the new-generation Hilux, complete with “TOYOTA” lettering across the nose, but their rear sections are purpose-built to carry the Pope.

That front-end design is already familiar to Australian buyers. The ninth-generation Hilux was revealed globally in November 2025 and is now on sale locally, with CarSauce previously covering the Australian range’s pricing and specifications.

Toyota Argentina donated the two vehicles to the Holy See for the Pope’s 8 - 11 November 2026 visit. Both started as Hilux utes built at Toyota’s Zárate plant in Buenos Aires province and were adapted to requirements set by the Vatican.

The conversion work was carried out with Vallé Equipamientos, a vehicle bodywork and equipment specialist with operations in Córdoba and Buenos Aires.

A clear dome and electric rear staircase

The papal area features a central seat for the Pope and two auxiliary seats beneath a curved, transparent polycarbonate dome.

An electric rear staircase and integrated grab handles provide access, while the papal coat of arms appears on both sides of the body. Vatican pennants and the S.C.V. 1 number plate identify the vehicles with the Stato della Città del Vaticano, or Vatican City State.

According to Argentine reports, each conversion measures 5.50 metres long, 2.10 metres wide and 3.10 metres tall, with seating for up to seven occupants and no armour.

Two people sit in the cabin, while the rear accommodates the Pope, two companions beside him and two security staff at the back. One vehicle served Buenos Aires and Luján, while the other was used in Córdoba.

Ahead of the visit, Toyota formally presented the Buenos Aires vehicle to the Apostolic Nuncio in Argentina, Monsignor Michael Wallace Banach, at the Kansai dealership. The second vehicle was held in Córdoba by the National Gendarmerie.

The conversions also gave Argentina an early look at the new-generation Hilux’s front styling before its local launch, due in December 2026. Toyota will build the new model at Zárate.

Although donated to the Holy See, the popemobiles will remain in Argentina, where Toyota will store and maintain them. These are bespoke Vatican conversions, not a Hilux variant available to buy.

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