The popemobile through the years

Police on horseback and Secret Service agents surround Pope John Paul II as he rides in the popemobile on Spring Street in Chinatown during his visit to Los Angeles in September 1987. (Bob Carey / Los Angeles Times)

Feb. 11, 2013 6:24 AM PT

Despite its worldwide familiarity, the popemobile is a relatively new invention, born out of concern for safety after Pope John Paul II was shot by a Turkish terrorist in St. Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981.

Pope John Paul II rides around St. Peter’s Square in October 1998 after an open-air Mass celebrated by Polish Primate Cardinal Joseph Glemp. About 20,000 fellow Poles came to Rome to mark John Paul’s 20th anniversary as pontiff. (Plinio Lepri / Associated Press)

Pope John Paul II is back in his protective popemobile as he makes his way to the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City in January 1999. (Dario Lopez-Mills / Associated Press)

The pontiff rides in his open popemobile in October 2002 in St. Peter’s Square. (Gabriel Buoys / Associated Press)

Pope Benedict XVI’s car is escorted by bodyguards on the way to St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome in May 2005. (Giulio Napolitano AFP/Getty Images)

In St. Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from a partially enclosed popemobile after attending Palm Sunday Mass last month. (Marco Di Lauro / Getty Images)

World & Nation

The popemobile through the years

More From the Los Angeles Times

Most Read in World & Nation