Vatican Museums host exhibition on a century of papal vehicles

The Vatican Museums have launched an exhibition titled ‘A Century of the Popemobile’ in the gardens of the Vatican Museums. The display features eight historical vehicles that document the evolution of papal mobility and the changing relationship between the papacy and the faithful.

The exhibition highlights a century of collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, beginning in 1930 when Pope Pius XI received a Nürburg 460. Featured vehicles include the 1960 Landaulet for John XXIII, the 600 Pullman Landaulet for Paul VI, and various models used by John Paul II, including the Fiat Campagnola used during his 1981 assassination attempt.

The collection also includes the ML 500 used by both Benedict XVI and Francis. The exhibition traces the transition from luxury limousines to the modern popemobile, a vehicle designed to increase the visibility of the Pope and facilitate direct contact with crowds during apostolic journeys.