Pope Francis now has a new Popemobile, thanks to a generous donation from Mercedes-Benz, which has provided a modern convertible car equipped with cutting-edge technology. The handover took place yesterday afternoon in the Vatican, where CEO Ola Källenius and the production team personally presented the exclusive vehicle based on the new electric G-Class: “It is a great honor for us, and we have paid attention to all the needs of the Holy Father,” said Källenius.
A Special Delivery
On the afternoon of Wednesday, December 4, Pope Francis received his new Popemobile, a fully electric, convertible G-Class, specially manufactured for him by Mercedes-Benz. During the handover ceremony, the Pope requested the presence of the workers directly involved in the vehicle’s production. The delegation was led by Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group, along with other senior representatives who traveled from Germany for the occasion.
An Honor for Mercedes-Benz
An Honor for Mercedes-Benz“It is a great honor for us to deliver this vehicle to the Holy Father,” stated Källenius during the car handover to Vatican Radio – Vatican News. Mercedes-Benz boasts nearly 100 years of tradition with Popemobiles, beginning in 1930 with the first vehicle delivered to Pope Pius XI. Pope Francis’s current Popemobile, a gasoline-powered G-Class, will be replaced by this new electric model. Källenius emphasized: “We are moving towards zero emissions and launching many electric products. This year, we introduced the electric G-Class and will continue on this path in the coming years.”
Precision and Dedication
Peter Zotter, who works in development at the Graz factory where Mercedes’s G-Class is produced, expressed his excitement about meeting the Pope and participating in this special project. Zotter commented: “It is an honor to be asked to work on a project like this. Although we made a G-Class for the Pope before, I was not personally involved. Having the chance to work on such a unique vehicle is an opportunity that likely only comes once in a career.”
Innovation and Technology for the Vatican
The team of specialists from various Mercedes-Benz locations collaborated for nearly a year with Vatican representatives to adapt the car to the Pope’s specific needs. Emphasis was placed on zero emissions, aligning with the Vatican’s goal of having all its vehicles be emission-free by 2030. Details like the rotating chair and handcrafted interior fittings were given special attention. The vehicle, based on the new all-wheel-drive electric G-Class, was designed for the slow speeds at which the Pope typically travels during public audiences in St. Peter’s Square.
Zotter explained: “Compared to the original vehicle, many things have changed regarding the base, so the starting point was different.” The experience gained from the previous project was applied over the past year, with particular attention to the rear of the vehicle: “It is a single piece with all the functions. We hope it provides the Holy Father with the proper comfort for his travels.”
Details of the New Popemobile
The new convertible Popemobile features a retractable roof to protect the occupants in case of rain or bad weather. The right-side rear door has counter-rotating hinges, while the left side is fully welded. Like previous Popemobiles, the vehicle is white and bears the license plate SCV1 (“Status Civitatis Vaticanae”). After the key handover, Pope Francis received the executives and workers in a brief private audience, expressing his gratitude for their effort and dedication in creating this special vehicle.
