The Vatican Museums opened an exhibition called "A Century of the Popemobile" on October 29, showcasing eight historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles used by popes over nearly 100 years.
The oldest vehicle on display is a Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 Pullman limousine delivered to Pope Pius XI in 1930. It featured silk brocade upholstery, elaborate wood and metal trim, and a decorated roof. This marked the first automobile regularly used by a Pope and the start of Mercedes-Benz's partnership with the Vatican.
The collection documents how papal transportation evolved to bring the Pope closer to crowds. Pope John XXIII received a Mercedes-Benz 300d Landaulet with removable rear side windows in 1960. Five years later, Pope Paul VI got a Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Landaulet with a raised roof and folding soft top.
In 1980, Pope John Paul II received a Mercedes-Benz 230 G. The G-Wagen featured a raised transparent enclosure at the rear for protection and visibility, not off-road capability. Later popes used an S500 Landaulet in 1997 and specially modified M-Class SUVs in 2002 and 2012.
The exhibition also includes an 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen and a modern S-Class to show how Mercedes-Benz vehicles transformed over 140 years. Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope and reportedly a car fan, met with Mercedes-Benz executives to thank them for their partnership with the Catholic Church. Visitors with Vatican Museums tickets can view the entire collection.