The Vatican is holding a special celebration of the popemobile, the\niconic vehicle that for almost a century has enabled popes to get closer\nto the faithful, both on visits at home and on trips abroad.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, the Vatican Museums presented a preview of an\nexhibition entitled \u201cA Century of the Popemobile\u201d, featuring eight\nMercedes-Benz vehicles used by popes since 1930. The exhibition opened\nto the public on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Separately, Pope Leo XIV met Mercedes-Benz executives and expressed\nhis appreciation for the carmaker\u2019s partnership with the Holy See. He\nsaid developments in automotive technology had gone hand in hand with\nchanges in papal travel over time.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor decades, the popemobile has evolved from a mere means of\ntransport into a means of encounter, enabling the pope to be closer to\nthe faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations,\u201d Leo XIV\nsaid, according to CNN International on Thursday (29 October 2026).<\/p>\n
Mercedes-Benz N\u00fcrburg 460: the oldest vehicle<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the exhibition\u2019s highlights is the Mercedes-Benz N\u00fcrburg 460,\npresented to Pope Pius XI on 23 May 1930. It is the oldest papal vehicle\non display at the Vatican Museums.<\/p>\n The vehicle was specially designed for the pope, with a luxurious\ninterior that includes brocade silk-upholstered armchairs and\nhigh-quality wood and metal finishes.<\/p>\n Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Vatican Museums\u2019 Historical\nCollections Department, said the vehicle showed how a car based on a\nproduction model could be adapted for the specific needs of the\npapacy.<\/p>\n He said popemobile design was not solely about luxury: it also needed\nto make the pope visible to the faithful and allow him to see his\nsurroundings, while providing an appropriate level of safety and\ncomfort.<\/p>\n From removable windows to a transparent dome<\/strong><\/p>\n Over time, popemobile designs continued to evolve to meet the pope\u2019s\nneed to interact directly with the faithful. The vehicles in the\nexhibition illustrate these changes.<\/p>\n In 1960, Pope John XXIII received a Mercedes-Benz 300 d Landaulet. It\nhad removable rear side windows, allowing the pope to reach out to\npeople he encountered along the way.<\/p>\n The next innovation came in 1980, when Mercedes-Benz developed the\n230 G for Pope John Paul II\u2019s visit to Germany. The vehicle was fitted\nwith a tall transparent dome at the rear.<\/p>\n The dome was designed to provide protection while allowing the\nmillions gathered to see the pope more clearly.<\/p>\n These developments reflect the popemobile\u2019s changing role. It became\nmore than a vehicle taking the pope from one place to another: it also\nserved as a way to greet the faithful, foster closeness and, on some\noccasions, enable the pope to bless babies brought to him.<\/p>\n Electric popemobile and a message on environmental\ncare<\/strong><\/p>\n During his meeting with Mercedes-Benz executives, Leo XIV also\nrecalled the electric papal vehicle presented to Pope Francis. The\nvehicle reflected Francis\u2019s concern for environmental and ecological\nissues.<\/p>\n Leo XIV urged Mercedes-Benz to continue developing technology that is\nnot only focused on industrial progress but also benefits people and the\nenvironment.<\/p>\n \u201cIn this spirit, I encourage you to continue placing technological\ninnovation at the service of human dignity, care for creation and the\ncommon good,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The \u201cA Century of the Popemobile\u201d exhibition offers a look at the\nlong history of papal vehicles, from a luxury car in 1930 to vehicles\nequipped with modern technology. More than an automotive collection, the\nvehicles illustrate how innovation has continued to support the popes\u2019\nefforts to be closer to the faithful around the world.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/vatican-opens-its-sacred-garage-featuring-a-century-old-car-1793325042",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}