Vatican Unveils Century-Long Popemobile Exhibit Featuring Eight Mercedes-Benz Models
The Vatican Museums opened a preview of 'A Century of the Popemobile' on October 28, 2026, showcasing eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles used by popes since 1930. Pope Leo XIV met with Mercedes-Benz executives to discuss the partnership, emphasizing how the vehicle evolved from simple transport to a tool for public engagement. The exhibit traces the history from Pope Pius XI's 1930 Nürburg 460 to modern electric models, highlighting the vehicle's role in facilitating the church's mission.
Key points
- The Vatican Museums unveiled a preview of the exhibition 'A Century of the Popemobile' on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, with the public opening scheduled for Thursday.
- The exhibition features eight Mercedes-Benz versions of the popemobile, tracing papal transportation from 1930 to the present day.
- Pope Leo XIV met with top Mercedes-Benz executives, thanking them for their partnership with the Holy See and noting how automotive advances have accompanied papal travel evolutions.
- The oldest car on display was given to Pope Pius XI on May 23, 1930; it was a Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 featuring a silk brocade armchair and fine wood and metal finishes.
- Pope Leo XIV described the popemobile as an 'instrument of encounter' that enables the pontiff to draw closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations.
- In 1960, Pope John XXIII was presented with the 300 d Landaulet, which featured removable rear side windows, allowing him to reach out to those he met along the way.
Background
The Vatican has a long history of using the popemobile to engage with the faithful, with the vehicle evolving from a simple means of transportation to an 'instrument of encounter.' The current exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the popemobile, tracing its history from Pope Pius XI's first automobile in 1930 to modern electric models. Pope Leo XIV, a car enthusiast, has emphasized the importance of technological innovation in serving the church's mission of reaching out to people and bringing a message of faith, hope, and charity to the world.
Why it matters
The exhibition highlights the popemobile's role in facilitating the church's mission of public engagement and outreach, showcasing how the vehicle has evolved to meet the changing needs of popes and the faithful. Pope Leo XIV's meeting with Mercedes-Benz executives underscores the importance of sustainable mobility and technological innovation in serving human dignity and care for creation.
What to watch
The exhibition will officially open to the public on Thursday, October 29, 2026, allowing visitors to see the eight Mercedes-Benz popemobiles and learn about the history of papal transportation.
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