Vatican unveils century of popemobiles, tracing evolution from 1930 to electric models
Eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles are on display, illustrating how the papal car transformed from a private carriage into a tool for public engagement.
By Harper Foster ·
The Vatican Museums opened a public exhibition on Thursday dedicated to the history of the popemobile. The display, titled “A Century of the Popemobile,” runs through nearly a hundred years of papal travel. It features eight specific Mercedes-Benz models used by popes since 1930.
The collection begins with a Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460. This vehicle was presented to Pope Pius XI on May 23, 1930. It included a silk brocade armchair and fine wood and metal finishes. Sandro Barbagallo, the curator of the Historical Collections Department, noted that this car marked a transition from standard production to a unique design built specifically for the pope.
Barbagallo stated that the design goals for these vehicles were to keep the pope safe and comfortable while allowing him to be seen by the public. He emphasized that the cars were crafted to facilitate this visibility without compromising security.
The exhibit traces how the vehicle changed to meet the needs of different popes. A 1960 model given to Pope John XXIII featured removable rear side windows. This design allowed the pontiff to reach out to people he met during his travels. A later innovation appeared in 1980 for a visit by St. John Paul II to Germany.
For that trip, Mercedes-Benz created a 230 G model with a tall, transparent dome at the rear. This feature provided safety for the pope while offering a clear view for the millions of faithful gathered to see him. The exhibit shows how these technical changes enabled the pope to interact more directly with crowds and bless children brought to him.
Pope Leo XIV met with Mercedes-Benz executives separately to discuss the partnership. The Chicago-born pope acknowledged that automotive advances have mirrored the evolution of papal travel. He recalled the electric popemobile presented to Pope Francis, which aligned with that pope's focus on ecological priorities.
Leo described the popemobile as an instrument of encounter rather than just a means of transport. He urged the executives to continue using technological innovation to serve human dignity and care for creation.
Source: WCCB
