The Vatican Museums have opened "A Century of the Popemobile," an exhibition displaying eight iterations of papal vehicles designed exclusively by Mercedes-Benz between 1930 and 2012. While other manufacturers like Land Rover, Fiat, and Ferrari have produced vehicles for popes, this specific collection focuses on the German automaker's contributions to the evolution of the iconic car. Pope Leo XIV addressed Mercedes-Benz executives prior to the opening, noting that over the decades, the vehicle has shifted from a simple means of transportation into an instrument of encounter that facilitates the Church's mission to reach out to people with messages of faith and hope.
The oldest model on display is a 1930 460 Nürburg limousine gifted to Pope Pius XI. Unlike the modern, armored vehicles known for their glass domes, this early custom-made car featured a black exterior and a red armchair upholstered in silk brocade. Upon driving the 80-horsepower vehicle through the Vatican Gardens, Pius XI reportedly exclaimed that it was a masterpiece and a wonder of modern technology. However, these early models largely remained in the papal garage, as popes historically traveled in sedan chairs carried by footmen until the late 1970s.
The design philosophy changed to prioritize visibility and interaction with the faithful. Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Historical Collections Department at the Vatican Museums, explained that the popemobile allows people to see the pope while enabling him to greet and bless crowds from the road. The first model resembling the modern iconic design appeared in 1980 as a modified 230 G with a large glass dome. A year later, following an assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II in an open-topped Fiat, bulletproof glass became a standard feature. Marcus Breitschwerdt of Mercedes-Benz Heritage emphasized that these vehicles are now sophisticated and armored to address modern security risks in large crowds.
The exhibition includes several notable models, such as a 1960 300D Landaulet with removable side windows for Pope John XXIII, a 1997 "lungo" Landaulet with an electrohydraulic soft top used by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, and Pope Benedict XVI's 2012 ML 500. The collection also reflects the personal preferences of recent pontiffs; for instance, Pope Francis utilized a modified Jeep Wrangler during his 2015 visit to the United States. In 2024, Mercedes-Benz gifted Pope Francis the first electric car in the fleet, aligning with his call for sustainability. Pope Leo XIV referenced this innovation in his address, encouraging the company to continue placing technological advancement at the service of human dignity and care for creation.
Sources: Smithsonian Magazine.