The Vatican has unveiled the new automobile of Papa, an open-top electric Mercedes-Benz that Francis will use when he greets pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square.
The CEO of Mercedes-Benz personally presents Pope Francis with his new fully electric Popemobile pic.twitter.com/D4tzTLBSgY
— Catholic Sat (@CatholicSat) December 4, 2024
The vehicle is white – the traditional color of the pontiff – and features a heated seat and a handle where the pope can hold on to maintain his balance when standing.
“Every detail is perfect,” said Sten Olav Kalenius, the CEO of the Mercedes-Benz Group. “It took hundreds of hours of work (…) to create a one-of-a-kind papal vehicle,” he added. The Vatican did not specify when the new vehicle will be released, and Mercedes avoided commenting on its cost.
Francis, who was elected pope in March 2013, avoids using armored vehicles. He has also repeatedly emphasized how important environmental issues are to him. Mercedes called the new vehicle “the first fully electric papal car,” although Francis has used electric cars during some of his trips abroad.
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