Pope Francis has added a new set of wheels to his collection: a custom-built, all-electric G-Wagon popemobile from Mercedes-Benz. This environmentally friendly vehicle aligns with the pontiff’s advocacy for climate action and marks the first fully electric popemobile in history.
A Sustainable Innovation
The pearl-white G-Wagon, unveiled this week, is equipped with a suite of features designed for both functionality and comfort. A heated rotating seat and a handrail ensure Pope Francis can engage with the faithful comfortably, even on chilly winter days. The popemobile also features a retractable roof for weather protection and a raised seat, offering crowds a better view during public appearances.
Two Vatican flags, in white and yellow, are mounted on the vehicle’s bonnet, and its license plate reads “SCV1,” an abbreviation of the Latin term for Vatican City State (Status Civitatis Vaticanae).
The electric motor has been specially adapted to operate at the low speeds necessary for the Pope’s public engagements. Additionally, the vehicle includes a dedicated space for the Swiss Guards tasked with ensuring the pontiff’s safety.
A Longstanding Partnership
The Stuttgart-based automaker Mercedes-Benz has been supplying popemobiles to the Vatican for over 45 years. This electric innovation continues their tradition of designing vehicles tailored to the unique needs of the papacy. Chief Executive Ola Källenius, along with the engineers behind the project, personally presented the vehicle to Pope Francis at the Vatican.
“This was a special honor for our company,” said Källenius, noting the alignment between the vehicle’s eco-conscious design and the Pope’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
Environmental Advocacy
The move to an electric popemobile underscores Pope Francis’s dedication to combating climate change, a central theme of his papacy since 2013. His 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ called for urgent global action to protect “our common home,” a message he reiterated in 2023 when he criticized the slow pace of climate initiatives.
Pope Francis has taken significant steps to promote sustainability, including becoming the first pontiff to attend the United Nations climate talks in person. However, his environmental efforts recently faced criticism when it was revealed that a 200-year-old pine tree, dubbed “The Green Giant,” was cut down to serve as the Vatican’s Christmas tree, sparking protests and a petition signed by over 53,000 people.
Supporting the Pope’s Mobility
The new popemobile also addresses Pope Francis’s mobility challenges. The 87-year-old pontiff has faced ongoing respiratory and mobility issues, including a history of bronchitis and a past lung surgery. Earlier this year, he was seen struggling to access his previous vehicle during an outdoor audience in St. Peter’s Square.
Despite these challenges, the Pope continues to champion his causes, now with the help of a vehicle that merges innovation, sustainability, and comfort.
As Mercedes-Benz and the Vatican collaborate to create greener solutions, the new electric popemobile stands as a testament to both modern technology and the enduring spirit of the papacy.
