Pope Francis on Wednesday received a new electric popemobile from German luxury automaker Mercedes-Benz, marking a significant step in the Vatican’s commitment to combating climate change.
The custom-built vehicle, based on the Mercedes G-Class model, features a raised seat under a glass canopy to allow the pontiff to greet crowds during public appearances.
Painted in pearl white, the popemobile is equipped with an electric motor specifically designed to accommodate the low speeds required during papal processions.
Ola Kallenius, the Chief Executive Officer of Mercedes-Benz, along with engineers from the project, personally presented the vehicle to Pope Francis at the Vatican.
"Producing cars for the papacy was a special honour for our company," Kallenius remarked.
Mercedes-Benz has a long-standing tradition of supplying popemobiles to the Vatican, a practice that spans over 45 years. This latest addition reflects Pope Francis’ environmental priorities, which have been a cornerstone of his papacy since he assumed office in 2013.
In his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis called for urgent global action to address the climate crisis, advocating for the protection of "our common home."
The pontiff revisited this message in 2023, expressing disappointment at the slow pace of climate action and reinforcing the need for collective efforts.
Last year, he became the first pope to attend the United Nations climate talks in person, further solidifying his environmental stance.
This is not the first electric vehicle in the Vatican’s fleet. In 2012, French automaker Renault gifted an electric people carrier to Pope Benedict XVI, Francis’ predecessor.
