Lolo Kiko’s Holy Wheels

When news broke of Pope Francis’ passing, the world paused.

The sadness hit even harder in the Philippines, a nation of proud Catholics and world champions of rosaries dangling from rearview mirrors.

He was not just the Pope to us. He was Lolo Kiko. He was a lolo who could’ve easily been your real lolo who gives you his monobloc chair to sit down while he enjoys joining you in a kwentuhan.

While many remember his heartfelt sermons and his contagious smile, we remember something just as iconic: his wheels.

During his 2015 pastoral and state visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis didn’t roll into town in a flashy limousine. No. He chose something that resonated with ordinary Pinoys — a locally customized Isuzu D-Max pickup truck.

The D-Max Popemobile was no off-the-shelf job. It was lovingly transformed by Isuzu Gencars and Almazora Motors Corporation. It was a mission on four wheels, more than just another modded pickup truck.

They reworked the cab from its original two-door setup into a single cab, all to make space for a special throne that is a chair flown in from Italy, upholstered in fine Italian leather, fit for the Pope yet humble in design. Two more seats were added, reserved for papal companions.

A clear plexiglass shield was mounted at the front, leaving the sides open, just as Pope Francis requested. He wanted to see the faces of the people, not wave through layers of bulletproof glass.

The finishing touches were pure Filipino heart: sturdy railings for support, a woven red carpet showcasing Filipino craftsmanship.

This Popemobile was a rolling proof of Filipino artistry.

So beloved was this D-Max that an identical twin unit was later shipped to Rome.

If the D-Max was iconic, the second Popemobile was pure Filipino soul on wheels.

During his 2015 visit to Manila, Pope Francis also utilized a customized jeepney as his Popemobile. It was a vehicle designed to mirror the spirit of Filipino ingenuity and a deep desire to connect with the masses.

That very jeepney, the one that carried Lolo Kiko through the adoring crowds, is now proudly on display at a Makati church, standing there as a reminder of that incredible moment when Manila’s streets became one giant parade of faith.

While Pope Francis embraced humble rides in the Philippines, it’s worth noting that his official Popemobile history has deep ties with Mercedes-Benz.

The bond between the Vatican and Mercedes-Benz goes back to 1930, when the German automaker gifted Pope Pius XI a Nürburg 460 Pullman limousine.

Since then, many Popemobiles have been based on Mercedes models.

Mercedes-Benz also delivered to Pope Francis the first-ever fully electric Popemobile. It was a custom electric G-Class EV unveiled in 2024 for the 2025 Jubilee celebrations.

For Filipinos, the Pope is family.

During World Youth Day 1995, Pope John Paul II became forever etched in Pinoy hearts, rolling through Manila aboard a custom Popemobile.

Millions of people crammed into Luneta and Roxas Boulevard — a sea of hands, banners and faith.

Same story with Pope Francis. Whenever the Popemobile passed, people prayed, wept, laughed, and blessed themselves.

That’s why calling Pope Francis Lolo Kiko was real. It was love.

The Popemobiles used in the Philippines were moving sermons about humility, compassion, and faith — regardless of whether they were wrapped in Italian leather or decorated with Filipino art echoing the spirit of the jeepney.

It didn’t matter if the ride was a pickup, a jeep, or a Mercedes.

The message stayed the same: wherever Lolo Kiko rode, hope and love followed.

And when Lolo Kiko passed by, we reached out with prayers held tight in our hands and smiles caught between tears.

Today, even without a Popemobile rolling down our streets, we still feel him riding beside us, in every whispered blessing, in every rosary swinging from a sunburnt dashboard, faith softly moving along with every simple journey home.

Thank you for the ride, Lolo Kiko.