This is one of the few open-top pontiff-carriers constructed on a modern chassis. GM Mexico built it for Pope John Paul II to use for his trip to give a speech at the Estadio Azteca, a stadium in Mexico City. But he never actually rode in the Cadillac, presumably because of the security concerns of the open design. However, the Pope did bless the car upon that visit. 

Oddly, the car's construction was completed by both American limo company Eureka and Ford tuning specialist Roush Performance. The Petersen guesses that GM Mexico simply needed additional technical expertise in the assembly. The papal seat sits on a hydraulic system that can raise or lower the seat by up to 20 inches. The passenger doors open and steps fold down to ease the pope's entrance.