Eight Popemobiles from 1930 to Today Now on Display in Vatican Museum

Vatican City opened a public exhibition of eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles on Wednesday, marking the official start of the show. The collection, titled "A Century of the Popemobile," spans nearly a hundred years of papal travel history. The cars have been available for viewing since the Vatican Museums unveiled a preview on Wednesday, with the general public gaining access on Thursday.

The oldest vehicle in the exhibit is a Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460. It was presented to Pope Pius XI on May 23, 1930. This early model featured a silk brocade armchair and finishes of fine wood and metal. Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Historical Collections Department at the Vatican Museums, noted that the car was built specifically for papal use rather than as a standard serial production model. He explained that the design allowed the pope to be seen clearly while maintaining safety and comfort.

Later models in the display reflect changes in how popes interacted with crowds. In 1960, Pope John XXIII received a 300 d Landaulet that included removable rear side windows. This feature allowed him to reach out to people during his travels. By 1980, the vehicle for St. John Paul II's visit to Germany had a different focus. That Mercedes-Benz 230 G included a tall, transparent dome at the rear. The design provided safety while ensuring the pope had an unobstructed view of the large crowds gathered for his appearances.

Pope Leo XIV met with top Mercedes-Benz executives separately to discuss the partnership between the company and the Holy See. The Chicago-born pope acknowledged that automotive technology has evolved alongside papal travel needs. He described the popemobile as an instrument of encounter that brings the pontiff closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations. Leo stated that the vehicles help facilitate the church's mission of reaching out to people with messages of faith, hope, and charity.

During the meeting, Leo also recalled the electric popemobile presented to Pope Francis. That vehicle aligned with the Argentine pope's focus on ecological priorities. Leo encouraged the executives to continue using technological innovation to serve human dignity, care for creation, and the common good. The exhibition remains open to the public following the initial preview.

The display includes eight distinct versions of the car used by popes since 1930. The collection showcases the transition from enclosed, luxurious transports to open, visible platforms designed for public engagement. The Vatican Museums are the primary venue for this historical retrospective.