From Fiat to Casio: The quiet power of Pope Francis’s humble choices

When you’re one of the most recognised figures in the world, people expect a bit of flash. But Pope Francis? He quietly flipped that script and chose a different path. One marked by humility, simplicity, and service. From the cars he rode to the watch he wore (or didn’t), every choice he made reflected a deeper philosophy: to live close to the people, not above them.

Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope Francis gently but firmly redefined what it meant to lead with authenticity. Whether opting for a modest Fiat over a limousine or auctioning off a Lamborghini to support humanitarian causes, his decisions spoke louder than sermons.
Below are some of the brands, products, and gifts the Pope was seen with, of course not as endorsements, but as tools repurposed to serve a greater good.

The Popemobile

No he didn’t use one.

The traditional bulletproof Popemobile used by previous Popes — especially Pope Benedict XVI, was a customized Mercedes-Benz M-Class SUV, often white and heavily modified.

While this model was available to Pope Francis, he deliberately avoided using it regularly, citing a preference for simpler, less ostentatious transport.

Fiat

The Pope made headlines in 2015 for using a Fiat 500L during his U.S. visit. The small, modest car was seen as a symbol of his simplicity.

Renault

Early in his papacy, he accepted a white Renault 4 from an Italian priest. It was a 1984 model with over 300,000 km on it.

Lamborghini

In 2017, Lamborghini gifted him a custom Huracán. He didn’t drive it but signed and auctioned it off for charity, raising nearly $1 million.

Hyundai

For official transport within Vatican City or during travels, he’s also been spotted in Hyundai Santa Fe SUVs.

Adidas

Photos show Pope Francis occasionally wearing white Adidas sneakers, especially during casual or off-duty moments.

Swatch / Casio

Pope Francis was known for wearing a very modest Swatch watch, specifically the Twice Again SO29B703 model. It's a simple, black strap watch with a white dial and day-date function, costing around $85. In 2022, he donated this same watch to the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation, where it was auctioned off.

Pope Francis was also often seen wearing the Casio MQ-24-7B2, a simple black resin watch with a white dial that retails for under $20.

Harley-Davidson

In 2013, Harley gifted him a bike and a leather jacket. Like the Lamborghini, he signed and auctioned them off for charity.