Eight Historic Popemobiles From a Century Go on Display at the Vatican Museums
An exhibition at the Vatican Museums brings together eight historic popemobiles used by successive popes over a century. From silk-lined limousines to vehicles fitted with bulletproof glass, the exhibition traces how papal transport has evolved over the years.
The oldest vehicle is a Nürburg 460 presented to Pope Pius XI on 23 May 1930. It features a luxurious armchair upholstered in raspberry-coloured silk brocade.
By 1960, the 300 d Landaulet built for Pope John XXIII had removable rear side windows, allowing him to interact more easily with crowds.
Five years later, the 600 Pullman Landaulet introduced a raised roof and a folding soft top, enabling Pope Paul VI to stand and greet pilgrims more directly.
The modern popemobile took shape in 1980, when Mercedes-Benz developed the 230 G for Pope John Paul II's visit to Germany. Its tall transparent enclosure offered the pontiff protection while keeping him visible to the public.
Later models, including the ML 430 from 2002 and the ML 500 from 2012, carry security features such as thick bulletproof glass, reflecting the continuing evolution of papal transport.
The Vatican's relationship with Mercedes-Benz has also entered the electric era, with a modified G 580 becoming its first fully electric popemobile in 2024.
Other manufacturers have also supplied vehicles to popes, but this exhibition focuses exclusively on Mercedes-Benz.
Vatican Museums director Barbara Jatta says the exhibition aims to showcase a century of papal journeys. Entitled 'A Century of the Popemobile', it runs until 31 January 2027.
