Holy Hammer Drop: The Pope’s Fiat 500L is up for Auction

No, the white Popemobile Jeep is not for sale. But if you are desperate for your own personal slice of papal history, you might want to visit Philly for the next best thing. The Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the World Meeting of Families will auction off one of the two black Fiat 500L hatches that shuttled Pope Francis around during his recent visit to the City of Brotherly Love.

The auction will take place on January 29 at the Philadelphia Auto Show’s annual Black Tie Tailgate event, with proceeds bound for various charities. A non-papal Fiat 500L can run
anywhere from $20,995 for the cheapest Pop model to $25,675 for the top-spec Lounge, but this possibly holy Fiat 500L is expected to attract a fair bit more.

“The Fiat is such an icon of Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia and the auction of this vehicle serves as an extraordinary final event to close this memorable chapter in the City’s history,” said executive director of the World Meeting of Families Donna Crilley Farrell, in a statement.

The other black Fiat 500L, not up for auction, will be on view for the entire Philadelphia Auto Show from January 30 to February 7. The Archdiocese could still opt to auction the second Fiat off, and deliver it to its new owner after the show comes to a close.