Last Monday, April 21, the Pope Francis At 88 years of age in Vatican City. On Thursday, May 8, the Cardinals decided their successor, the American Robert Prevost. It is not official, but Most likely, the new Pope Leo XIV uses the same car as the previous pontiff.
Jorge Mario Bergoglio left in the church less conservative ideas, including the importance of the environment. In fact, Mercedes-Benz gave Francisco his latest totally electric papamóvil. The last will left by Pope Francis in his will, was the assignment of what was his official vehicle to make him a mobile health unit that serves children in the Gaza Strip.
A man from the papamóvil to turn him into a mobile health unit
The “electrical intelligence” of the Papamóvil
The vehicle that Francisco used, and seems to use the new Pope Leo XIV, incorporated EQ technology being a fully electric car. This system adapted to the low speeds necessary for Francisco’s appearances.
In The Mercedes-Benz G580 with specificationsthe long seat was replaced by an individual one placed in the center and adjustable in height. In addition, this seat can be turned, allowing the occupant to move easily and go to the public from different directions. Behind, two individual seats were added, one on each side, for additional passengers.
If weather conditions are adverse Mercedes added a removable rigid roof to protect the occupants. The rear door was removed and rebuilt by specialists, using traditional body techniques, to perfectly adjust to vehicle design. Also, the exterior of the “Papamóvil” was painted in an elegant pearl white color.
The Mercedes used by Pope Francis
Almost a century of union between Mercedes-Benz and the Vatican
The alliance between the German car brand and the Holy See data since 1930almost 100 years of history. The first car of this link was a Nürburg 460 Pullman Saloon for Pope Pius XI. Since then, Mercedes-Benz has offered its models to the potatoes.
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, stressed that the Papamóvil “not only honors our company, but also reinforces our commitment to electromobility and decarbonization.” Britta Seeger, a member of the Mercedes-Benz Group AG Board, stressed that the entire German brand team was very proud of To be able to fulfill one of the wishes that Pope Francis hadhave a 100% electric vehicle.
Ola Källenius teaches Jorge Mario Bergoglio el Mercedes-Benz
Francisco II’s story with cars
The previous Pontiff turned his cars into a message of humility. Francisco moved daily in cars that anyone can access. Jorge Mario Bergoglio was a simple man, and For years his means of transport was a dark blue Ford Focus. This car was from the Vatican mobile park that other employees had used.
An Italian priest gave him a white renault 4 1984. Francisco II led him several times. Just as he did with the Fiat 500L. With an approximate price of 21,000 euros, this compact car is practical, without flags and focused on the essential. When he left the Gemelli hospital, Bergoglio was mounted on his fiat 500l white and set towards the Vatican.
Pope Francis signing in the Lamborghini Hurricane hood
In 2017, Lamborghini gave him a hurricane LP 580-2with more than 600 hp. Francisco II blessed the supercar, posed with him, and donated it for a charity auction. The Lamborghini reached 715,000 euros on the bid and the money was allocated to solidarity causes. The use of normal, accessible, efficient and useful cars was a symbol of the old pontiff.