Eight Mercedes-Benz cars mark 96 years of papal transport

The Vatican Museums opened to the public on Thursday with a new exhibition tracing the history of the papal automobile. The display, titled A Century of the Popemobile, showcases eight distinct Mercedes-Benz models that have served as the official transport for the Holy Father since the early 20th century.

The oldest vehicle in the collection is a Nürburg 460 presented to Pope Pius XI on May 23, 1930. This particular car was not a standard model but was specifically designed and prepared for papal use. It featured a luxurious armchair upholstered in silk brocade, along with finishes of fine wood and metal. Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Historical Collections Department at the Vatican Museums, noted that the transition from serial production to a unique object is visible in this first iteration.

Later models in the exhibit reflect the shifting priorities of papal travel. By 1960, the 300 d Landaulet presented to Pope John XXIII included removable rear side windows. This design allowed the future saint to reach out to people along his route. A decade later, in 1980, Mercedes-Benz developed the 230 G for St. John Paul II’s visit to Germany. That vehicle introduced a tall, transparent dome at the rear, a design intended to provide safety while ensuring the pope could see the millions of faithful gathered to see him.

Pope Leo XIV met with top Mercedes-Benz executives prior to the full public opening. The Chicago-born pontiff, who is described as a car lover, thanked the company for its long-standing partnership with the Holy See. He acknowledged that advances in automotive technology had run parallel to the evolution of papal travel.

Leo stated that the popemobile has evolved from a simple means of transportation into an instrument of encounter. He explained that the vehicle enables the pontiff to draw closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations. The pope added that the company's work has helped facilitate the church's mission of reaching out to people and bringing a message of faith, hope, and charity to the world.

In his remarks, Leo also recalled the electric popemobile presented to Pope Francis, a vehicle chosen in keeping with the Argentine pope’s ecological priorities. He encouraged the executives to continue placing technological innovation at the service of human dignity, care for creation, and the common good. The exhibition remains on view at the Vatican Museums.