Vatican Museums to host exhibition on papal mobility

The Vatican Museums will host an exhibition beginning October 29 that traces one hundred years of papal transportation. The display features eight historic vehicles, including the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is considered the first automobile in history, and a modern Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

The exhibition highlights specific models used by various popes, such as the 1930 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 used by Pope Pius XI and the 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 d Landaulet built for Pope John XXIII. While the display focuses on Mercedes-Benz models, the collection notes that popes have used various brands including Fiat, Citroen, and BMW. The exhibition also tracks the development of the "popemobile," a term associated with Pope John Paul II, following the first version used by Pope Paul VI after the 1976 Jubilee.

Separately, Stellantis announced that Pope Leo XIV will use a Fiat Titano during his visit to Uruguay in November. The pickup truck is currently undergoing transformation at the Nordex plant in Montevideo.