The Vatican has opened an exhibition celebrating the popemobile, the special vehicle that has helped popes meet and connect with Catholic faithful around the world for nearly a century.
The Vatican Museums presented a preview of the exhibition, titled “A Century of the Popemobile,” on Wednesday. The display features eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles used by popes since 1930 and officially opened to visitors on Thursday.
Pope Leo XIV, who has a keen interest in cars, also met senior Mercedes-Benz executives and thanked the company for its longstanding partnership with the Holy See.
The Chicago-born pope said developments in car technology had gone hand in hand with changes in how popes travel.
“Over the decades, the popemobile has evolved from a means of transportation into an instrument of encounter, enabling the pontiff to draw closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations,” Leo said.
He added that the company's work had supported the Church's mission of reaching people with messages of faith, hope and charity.
The oldest vehicle in the exhibition is a Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 presented to Pope Pius XI on May 23, 1930. It features a luxurious armchair covered in silk brocade, along with finely crafted wooden and metal fittings.
The vehicle was specially designed and built for papal use, making it different from standard production cars, said Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Historical Collections Department at the Vatican Museums.
He explained that the vehicles were designed to allow popes to see and be seen by crowds while travelling in safety and comfort.
Later models reflected the changing needs of papal journeys, particularly the importance of interacting with the faithful and blessing babies brought to meet the pope.
In 1960, Pope John XXIII received a Mercedes-Benz 300 d Landaulet. Its removable rear side windows allowed him to reach out to people along his route, marking an important step towards more direct contact with the public.
Another major development came in 1980, when Mercedes-Benz prepared a 230 G for Pope John Paul II's visit to Germany. The vehicle featured a raised, transparent dome at the rear, protecting the pope while allowing crowds to see him clearly.
During his meeting with company executives, Leo also recalled the electric popemobile presented to Pope Francis, reflecting the late Argentine pope's commitment to environmental protection.
“I encourage you to continue placing technological innovation at the service of human dignity, care for creation and the common good,” Leo said.