Vatican unveils its holy garage of popemobiles used since 1930 (photos)

The Vatican is celebrating the history of the popemobile with a new exhibition titled “A Century of the Popemobile” at the Vatican Museums, tracing nearly 100 years of papal transportation from Pope Pius XI's first automobile in 1930 to modern models.

Opening to the public, the exhibition features eight Mercedes-Benz vehicles utilized by popes across the decades. In connection with the launch, Pope Leo XIV met with top Mercedes-Benz executives, expressing gratitude for their long-standing partnership with the Holy See and noting how automotive advancements have evolved alongside papal travel.

Pope Leo XIV remarked that the popemobile has transformed from a basic means of transportation into an instrument of encounter, allowing the pontiff to connect closely with the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations while aiding the church's mission.

The oldest car in the exhibition is the 1930 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460, presented to Pope Pius XI on May 23, 1930, which featured a luxurious silk brocade armchair alongside fine wood and metal finishes.

According to Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Historical Collections Department at the Vatican Museums, the vehicle was custom-built and designed specifically for papal use, shifting from a serial model to a unique creation.

Later versions included the 1960 300 d Landaulet presented to Pope John XXIII, which featured removable rear side windows allowing the future saint to easily reach out to the people he met along the way, and the 1980 230 G developed for St. John Paul II’s visit to Germany, which introduced a tall, transparent rear dome designed to provide safety while ensuring the millions of gathered faithful had a clear view.

Reflecting on recent sustainable initiatives, Pope Leo XIV also recalled the electric popemobile previously presented to Pope Francis, encouraging the automotive executives to continue aligning technological innovation with human dignity, care for creation, and the common good.