One Hundred Years of Popemobiles on Display at the Vatican Museums

A Century of Popemobiles on Display at the Vatican Museums

India Iammancini - Vatican City

A century of history, apostolic journeys and technological progress in the service of the Church. These are the central themes of "A Century of Popemobiles," an exhibition organized at the Vatican Museums to celebrate a centenary of collaboration between the Holy See and Mercedes-Benz. The itinerary ideally combines tradition and modernity, tracing a significant evolution: from the horse-drawn carriage of the early 19th century, which expressed the solemnity and majesty of the papacy, to the sedans that have carried the Supreme Pontiff.

A Pastoral Function

The popemobile reflects the way the Holy Father relates to the faithful, explained Sandro Barbagallo, curator of the Historical Collections of the Vatican Museums, at the opening conference on Wednesday, October 28. The function of this vehicle, he specified, is "profoundly pastoral," because it allows the Pope, "in the streets, to greet and, at the same time, to bless, drawing close to the faithful."

"The car, originally designed to enable movement, becomes in this way also a place of encounter, a tool through which the Supreme Pontiff can show himself, greet, bless and establish an immediate bond with those who gather along his route," writes Barbara Jatta, director of the Pontifical Collections, in the exhibition catalogue.

For its part, the head of Mercedes Heritage expressed his joy at presenting this century of collaboration. "It is the story of how we create mobility for the present, the past and the future," said Marcus Breitschwerdt.

An Ethical Responsibility

Mercedes executives emphasized that designing a vehicle intended for the Vatican involves an exceptional technological effort in terms of comfort and protection, but above all a very great ethical responsibility. Indeed, as Mercedes CEO Marc Langenbrinck pointed out, the Mercedes does not merely drive the Pope to his destination but, in a certain sense, carries him into the homes of "the entire Christian community."

This responsibility is also reflected in the care given to the historic vehicles. In Stuttgart, in what Marcus Breitschwerdt calls the "sacred halls" where the popemobiles are kept, respect for these vehicles goes hand in hand with absolute rigor: no one may sit in the seat reserved for the Pope.

Historical Memory

The exhibition carries within it the value of historical memory. This was recalled by the director of ANSA, Luigi Contu, who explained how, thanks to the archives of the Italian news agency, founded in 1945, it has been possible to trace a century of current events. If Mercedes ensures the physical protection and safety of the Supreme Pontiff during his travels, ANSA, he explained, intends to be a guarantor of security, protection and verification of the information that tells the story of the Church and the world.

The Origins of This Relationship

The exhibition, organized from October 28 at the Vatican Museums, is not a simple automobile exhibition but the testimony of a spiritual and cultural journey. To understand this evolution, one must go back to 1886, when engineer Carl Benz patented the Patent-Motorwagen, the first automobile in history. The link with the Vatican only officially took shape in 1930 with the Nürburg 460. It was not an ordinary car, but a Pullman limousine designed for Pope Pius XI, whose interior was lined with refined silk brocade, carefully selected wood and metals, and whose roof was decorated so as to reflect the solemnity of his office.

The Pope Descends Among the Crowd

The true turning point in the relationship with the faithful came in the 1960s. In 1960, Pope John XXIII was presented with the 300 d Landaulet, a car equipped with removable rear side windows. A detail that heralded a change: the automobile was no longer only to transport the Supreme Pontiff, but to allow him to enter into contact with those he met along his way.

In 1965, indeed, following the historic return of Pope Paul VI from his 1964 pilgrimage to the Holy Land, needs had evolved. A vehicle was required that would allow a more direct and warmer relationship with the public, in keeping with the broad, worldwide dimension of apostolic journeys. Thus was born the 600 Pullman Landaulet, fitted with a raised roof and a folding hood that allowed the Pope to show himself to the crowd in an open car. To complete this period, in 1967 the imposing six-seat Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL Pullman appeared, designed to welcome and escort distinguished guests visiting the Vatican.

The Modern Conception of the "Popemobile"

In the 1980s, the official birth of the "popemobile" proper took place. On the occasion of John Paul II's visit to Germany in 1980, Mercedes-Benz developed the 230 G. The novelty lay in a high transparent dome at the rear, an ideal solution for ensuring the Pope's safety while guaranteeing him total visibility before millions of faithful. Alongside the G-Class, which became in the collective imagination the emblem of John Paul II's popemobile, Mercedes also designed a representative sedan. In 1997, an S 500 Landaulet was delivered to the Vatican, equipped with a hydro-electrically operated convertible top and a spacious rear seat, designed to ensure maximum comfort for the Supreme Pontiff.

The New Millennium

With the arrival of the 2000s, the style adapted to its era and moved toward SUVs: in 2002, the ML 430 made its debut to the cheers of young people at the World Youth Day in Toronto, featuring a transparent dome with smoother, more harmonious lines. This evolution came to an end in 2012 with the ML 500 intended for Benedict XVI, characterized by wider and brighter glass panels that, at least in terms of perception, soften the separation from the outside space.

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