The Vatican
The Vatican opens a celebration of the popemobile, the now iconic vehicle that has allowed popes to get closer to the faithful at home and abroad for nearly a century.
The Vatican Museums on Wednesday unveiled a preview of the exhibition commemorating “A Century of the Popemobile,” featuring eight Mercedes-Benz versions of the car that popes have used since 1930. It officially opens to the public on Thursday.
Separately, Pope Leo XIV – a great car enthusiast – met with top executives of Mercedes-Benz and thanked them for their partnership with the Holy See. In his remarks, the Chicago-born pope noted that advances in automotive technology have accompanied advancements and developments in papal travel.
“Over the decades, the popemobile has evolved from a means of transportation to an instrument of encounter, allowing the pontiff to get closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations,” Leo said. “In this way, your work has helped facilitate the Church’s mission to reach people and bring a message of faith, hope and charity to the world. »
The oldest car on display at the Vatican Museum was gifted to Pope Pius
It “was specially built, designed and prepared for papal use, so much so that by simply comparing it you can see how it goes from serial to unique,” said Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Department of Historical Collections at the Vatican Museums.
“From this it is clear how all the cars were subsequently manufactured, precisely to allow the Pope to be seen, but to be seen and to see in complete safety and, I would even say, comfort,” he said.
Later versions of the popemobile on display reflected the changing needs of a pope on the road, including his need to engage with the faithful and, more recently, to bless babies brought to him.
In 1960, Pope John XXIII was offered the 300 d Landaulet, with a detail that foreshadowed a change: the removable rear side windows allowed the future saint to extend his hand to those he met along the way.
In 1980, for the visit of Saint John Paul II to Germany, Mercedes-Benz developed the 230 G, which featured another major innovation: a high, transparent dome at the rear, providing security but also guaranteeing a clear view for the millions of faithful gathered to see it.
In his remarks to Mercedes-Benz executives, Leo recalled that the electric popemobile they presented to Pope Francis was in line with the Argentine pope’s ecological priorities.
“In this spirit, I encourage you to continue to put technological innovation at the service of human dignity, concern for creation and the common good,” he said.
Gn world
