Pope Francis, nearing his 88th birthday, has incorporated a fully electric Mercedes-Benz into his transport options, marking a significant shift towards eco-friendly practices as he aims to eliminate combustion engines. The Vatican plans to transition its vehicle fleet to electric cars by 2030, positioning itself as a leader in environmental responsibility. The new Papamobile features a unique design for accessibility and crowd engagement, reflecting the Pope’s modest approach to transportation compared to his predecessors.
Pope Francis Embraces Eco-Friendly Transportation
As he approaches his 88th birthday, Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of over 1.4 billion Catholics, has welcomed a new addition to his transportation fleet: a specially designed, fully electric Mercedes-Benz. This marks a significant milestone as Francis becomes one of the pioneering heads of state to completely abandon combustion engines in favor of environmentally friendly alternatives.
The Vatican’s Vision for a Greener Future
The Vatican is setting an ambitious target to transition its entire vehicle fleet to electric cars by the year 2030, positioning itself as the first nation globally to achieve this goal. The Pope has been a vocal advocate for environmental stewardship, consistently raising awareness about climate change. While the German auto industry grapples with challenges in the electric vehicle sector, Volkswagen has successfully delivered 40 CO2-neutral cars to the Vatican this year.
The Pope’s new Papamobile, a blend of the Italian words for ‘Pope’ (Papa) and ‘vehicle’ (mobile), serves as his conveyance around St. Peter’s Square, where he greets the faithful weekly. These unique vehicles also accompany him on international trips, a tradition popularized by Pope John Paul II, who famously continued his travels even after facing an assassination attempt.
This latest electric model builds upon the electric SUV G580, featuring a specially crafted transmission that allows for slow-speed travel over extended distances. The Pope is seated in a raised, swivel chair at the rear, enabling him to engage with crowds from all angles. Additionally, a weatherproof attachment ensures he remains dry during inclement weather.
The vehicle showcases a pristine papal pearl white exterior with a striking red interior. An accessibility feature has also been included for Pope Francis, who relies on a wheelchair for most engagements due to ongoing knee and hip issues. While the cost of this custom vehicle remains undisclosed, the base model of the electric SUV begins around 140,000 euros, suggesting a significant investment.
Pope Francis’s choice of transportation reflects his humble approach, contrasting sharply with the luxurious preferences of many of his predecessors. Unlike recent popes who favored opulent limousines, Francis has been known to utilize a 30-year-old Renault 4 and a compact Fiat for hospital visits, both in the same elegant pearl white color.
Historically, the vehicles used by the papacy have been grander in scale. Mercedes-Benz first supplied a limousine to the Vatican in 1930 for Pope Pius XI, who traveled in a ‘Nürburg 460’ featuring a silk brocade throne chair. Successive popes also enjoyed lavish transportation, with John Paul II being the first to adopt the Papamobile in the 1980s, leading to a variety of models from different manufacturers over the years.
The precise number of vehicles in the Vatican’s fleet remains a mystery. Covering just 0.44 square kilometers, Vatican City stands as the world’s smallest independent state, roughly equivalent to the size of a cemetery in Chicago. Although the Vatican lacks public transportation, it is equipped with its own seldom-used train station.
Interestingly, the license plate of the Pope’s vehicles is consistently marked SCV 1. The letters signify ‘Status Civitatis Vaticanae’ (Vatican City), while the ‘1’ denotes the head of state. Some locals in Rome humorously reinterpret the abbreviation as ‘Se Cristo vedesse…’ which translates to ‘If Christ saw this…’