Pope Francis was handed the key to a new Mercedes-Benz popemobile on Wednesday by the chief executive of German luxury car brand. Source: CNA.
Ola Källenius, the chief executive officer Mercedes-Benz, presented the Pope with a white and chrome key fob inside a white box after showing off the new open-air vehicle in a parking lot inside Vatican City yesterday.
The modified G-Wagon features a rotating heated seat and a heated handrail to keep the Pope warm while greeting pilgrims during winter rides around St. Peter’s Square.
The fully electric, white SUV is emblazoned with Francis’ coat of arms, has black detailing, and has chrome rims. Two small Holy See flags wave from the front hood.
Its licence plate, SCV 1, is the Italian acronym for Vatican City State.
Mercedes-Benz has provided vehicles for the Vatican for 94 years. During the past 45 years, popes have used popemobiles based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
“With the new popemobile, Pope Francis is the first pontiff to travel in an all-electric Mercedes-Benz during his public appearances. This is a great honour for our company and I would like to thank His Holiness for his trust,” Mr Källenius said in a press release yesterday.
Pope Francis has been using full or partially electric cars for several years. In 2023, the Vatican also announced a partnership with auto manufacturer Volkswagen to introduce an all-electric, zero-impact car fleet in the Vatican by 2030.
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Mercedes-Benz presents Pope Francis with new modified G-Wagon popemobile (By Hannah Brockhaus, CNA)
