Vatican Unveils Century of Popemobiles

The Vatican Museums unveiled a collection of eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles on Wednesday, marking nearly a century of papal transportation. The exhibition, titled “A Century of the Popemobile,” officially opens to the public on Thursday, Nov. 2.

The display traces the evolution of the vehicle used by popes since 1930. The oldest car on view was delivered to Pope Pius XI on May 23, 1930. This Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 featured silk brocade upholstery and fine wood and metal finishes. Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Historical Collections Department at the Vatican Museums, noted that the car was specifically designed for papal use, distinguishing it from serial production models.

Subsequent models in the exhibit reflect changes in how popes interact with the public. In 1960, Pope John XXIII received a 300 d Landaulet equipped with removable rear side windows. This feature allowed the pope to reach out to people during travels. By 1980, Mercedes-Benz had developed the 230 G for St. John Paul II’s visit to Germany. That vehicle introduced a tall, transparent dome at the rear, offering protection while ensuring visibility for large crowds.

Pope Leo XIV met with top Mercedes-Benz executives separately to discuss the partnership between the Holy See and the automotive manufacturer. The Chicago-born pope stated that the popemobile has transformed from a simple transport tool into an instrument of encounter. He explained that the vehicles allow the pontiff to draw closer to the faithful during pastoral visits.

Leo thanked the executives for their work, saying it helps facilitate the church’s mission of reaching out with a message of faith, hope, and charity. He also recalled the electric popemobile presented to Pope Francis, which aligned with that pope’s ecological priorities. Leo encouraged the company to continue placing technological innovation in service of human dignity and care for creation.

The exhibit highlights the shift from enclosed luxury to open visibility. Barbagallo said the cars were engineered to allow the pope to be seen and to see in total safety and comfort. The collection serves as a historical record of how automotive design adapted to the specific needs of papal travel over the last nine decades.