As part of his visit to the United States in September 2015, His Holiness Pope Francis stopped in New York City. One of the vehicles provided for the visit was this Fiat 500L, supplied by Chrysler. What vehicle could be more suitable for Pope Francis on his 2015 visit to America, observed Ken Gross in his book Iconic, “than a Fiat 500L? It is a compact sedan large enough to ferry His Holiness in luxury but plebeian enough to placate [those] who believe a man of the people should be seen in a car that most people can afford.” In fact, the car was an ideal complement to Pope Francis, who has emphasized personal humility.

After the visit, in March 2016, it was driven by Monsignor Robert Ritchie, the rector of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, to the cathedral, where Cardinal Timothy Dolan reviewed it prior to its participation in the 2016 St. Patrick’s Day Parade—for which it was then driven in the rest of the parade route.

The car was soon after donated by the Archdiocese of New York to an auction benefitting Catholic charities, education, and relief services, and there was purchased for the Dare to Dream Collection, where it has resided since—an important reflection of both the owner’s dedication to philanthropy, and as an interesting piece of history in its own right. It is believed to have been the first Papal vehicle sold by the Archdiocese.

Today it remains in the same condition in which it was acquired, still essentially “new” throughout and with just 773 miles accrued at the time of cataloguing. Accompanying is a prior title copy listing the Archdiocese of New York as the Fiat’s owner, as well as the 2016 Bill of Sale.

Surely one of the most historic examples of a modern Fiat 500, this charming little car reflects the humble personality of its most famous passenger, and boasts a wonderful tale to tell.