In recent Mercedes News, Vatican City has a new eco-friendly vehicle for Pope Francis. On December 4th, Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, personally presented Pope Francis with a custom-built, electric G-Class popemobile. This handover marks a significant moment in the long-standing relationship between Mercedes-Benz and the Vatican.
Mr. Källenius expressed his honor in providing the vehicle, stating it was made with “paying attention to all the Holy Father’s needs.” The Pope is expected to use this new popemobile for upcoming public appearances in St. Peter’s Square, particularly during the Jubilee Year events. At the Pope’s request, the Mercedes-Benz team who dedicated themselves to this unique project were present at the Vatican for the official delivery.
A Century of Mercedes-Benz Popemobile Heritage
This event is more than just recent mercedes news; it celebrates a century-long tradition. For 100 years, Mercedes-Benz has been the chosen provider of vehicles for the Pope, starting in 1930 when Pope Pius XI received the first Mercedes-Benz popemobile. This legacy of trust and collaboration continues with the latest electric model. Pope Francis’ previous popemobile, used for his weekly General Audiences, was also a gasoline-powered G-Class, demonstrating the Vatican’s continued reliance on Mercedes-Benz.
Embracing Green Mobility: An Electric Popemobile for a Sustainable Vatican
Reflecting the Vatican’s commitment to environmental sustainability, this new popemobile is a significant step towards a greener future. A specialized team from various Mercedes-Benz locations collaborated closely with Vatican representatives for nearly a year to create a vehicle perfectly tailored to the Pope’s requirements. A primary objective was achieving zero emissions, aligning with the Vatican’s ambitious goal to transition its entire vehicle fleet to emission-free alternatives by 2030 – a target Mercedes-Benz shares in its own corporate strategy. This dedication to sustainability is key mercedes news, showcasing both organizations’ commitment to environmental responsibility.
“We are actively transitioning to zero emissions and are introducing numerous electric vehicles,” explained CEO Ola Källenius. “This year marks the launch of the electric G-Class,” he added, emphasizing the significance of this model as part of mercedes news and their electric vehicle strategy.
This particular electric G-Class popemobile is a bespoke creation, uniquely designed for Pope Francis. Peter Zotter, from the development division at the Graz factory where G-Class models are produced, highlighted the extensive modifications: “Compared to the standard vehicle, substantial changes were made to the foundation, making it a completely different starting point.”
Unique Features of the Pope’s New Electric Mercedes
This one-of-a-kind vehicle boasts several specialized features. It includes a rotating seat to facilitate the Pope’s interactions with the public and a meticulously handcrafted interior. Equipped with all-wheel drive, the popemobile is engineered for the characteristically slow speeds it travels through St. Peter’s Square during public audiences.
Mr. Zotter described it as “a unique piece with all the features,” expressing his hope that “it will provide the Holy Father with the comfort he needs for his travels.” Adding to its functionality, the new popemobile features a retractable roof, offering protection from varying weather conditions. The right rear door operates on rotating hinges, while the left side is securely welded.
Despite these modern enhancements, tradition remains. In keeping with its predecessors, this 2025 popemobile is finished in white and bears the Vatican City license plate SCV 1, seamlessly blending heritage with cutting-edge technology in this latest piece of mercedes news.
