The Vatican Museums have opened an exhibition celebrating nearly a century of papal transportation with a special collection of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Titled “A Century of the Popemobile,” the display features eight historic cars and opened on October 29, coinciding with the early months of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy.
The oldest vehicle in the exhibit is a 1930 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 Pullman limousine delivered to Pope Pius XI. Its silk brocade upholstery, elaborate wood and metal trim, and decorated roof marked the beginning of a partnership between Mercedes-Benz and the Vatican that spans nearly 100 years. This limousine represented the first automobile regularly used by a Pope, establishing a tradition that would evolve significantly over the decades.
As the Church sought to bring the Pope closer to his followers, transportation methods adapted accordingly. Pope John XXIII received a Mercedes-Benz 300d Landaulet in 1960 featuring removable rear side windows, while five years later Pope Paul VI was given a 600 Pullman Landaulet with a raised roof and folding soft top. These modifications reflected growing emphasis on accessibility and visibility during papal audiences.
Transportation evolved considerably in 1980 when Pope John Paul II received a Mercedes-Benz 230 G, an iconic choice that prioritized protection and visibility through its raised transparent enclosure rather than off-road capability. Subsequent additions included an S500 Landaulet in 1997 and specially modified M-Class SUVs deployed in 2002 and 2012, each reflecting technological advances and changing needs of papal ministry. The exhibition also features an 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen alongside a modern-day S-Class, illustrating the transformation of automotive design over 140 years.
Visitors holding Vatican Museums tickets can view the entire collection, which documents not only papal vehicles but also the broader evolution of Mercedes-Benz engineering. Pope Leo XIV met with Mercedes-Benz executives to express gratitude for the longstanding partnership between the automaker and the Catholic Church’s highest office. The timing of this exhibition aligns with the Pope’s appreciation for automobiles and his recent interactions with major automotive brands.
