Vatican opens exhibition celebrating a century of popemobiles

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 19:15 · Archive

The Vatican Museums has unveiled an exhibition of eight Mercedes-Benz popemobiles used by popes since 1930.

The Vatican Museums unveiled an exhibition of eight Mercedes-Benz popemobiles on Wednesday, with the show opening to the public on Thursday. The exhibition, titled 'A Century of the Popemobile', traces a hundred years of papal transportation from Pope Pius XI's first automobile in 1930 to modern vehicles that allow popes to travel whilst remaining close to crowds.

The oldest car on display is the Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 given to Pope Pius XI on 23 May 1930. It featured a luxurious armchair upholstered in silk brocade with fine wood and metal finishes.

Pope Leo XIV, who is described as a big car lover, met separately with top Mercedes-Benz executives to thank them for their partnership with the Holy See. The pope noted that advances in automotive technology had accompanied the evolution of papal travel. He said that over the decades, the popemobile had 'evolved from a means of transportation into an instrument of encounter', enabling popes to draw closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations.

How it is being reported

• A popemobile exhibition is unveiled at the Vatican, featuring the vehicle popes have used since 1930The Vatican is opening a celebration of the popemobile.News4Jax · 28 Oct, 18:41
• A popemobile exhibition is unveiled at the Vatican, featuring the vehicle popes have used since 1930The Vatican is opening a celebration of the popemobile.Clickorlando · 28 Oct, 18:41

In this story: Vatican · Pope Pius XI · Pope Leo XIV · Mercedes-Benz · Holy See

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log