What do you do when the head of the Holy See needs a ride?
Starting this month, the Vatican has launched a new exhibit featuring a panoply of motorized creations used for this very purpose.
Welcome to "A Century of the Popemobile."
The first official version of the popemobile was a 1930 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460 Pullman limousine given to Pope Pius XI. Prior to that, the pontiff was transported by horse-drawn carriages, and at times, upholstered thrones hoisted by footmen.
At this point, countless manufacturers have designed and built custom cars for the Bishop of Rome, including a variation of my own vehicle of choice - the aptly named Kia Soul!
The only time I personally witnessed a popemobile in action was during a trip to Italy in late 2017. Pope Francis had just been gifted a sleek white and gold Lamborghini Huracán. Known for his modest tastes, the pontiff instead signed the hood and auctioned the car off for charity. Which didn't matter to me. I had already been dazzled by his presence in his boxy Ampera-E, a rebadged Chevrolet Bolt!
"Over the decades, the popemobile has evolved from a means of transportation into an instrument of encounter, enabling the pontiff to draw closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations." - Pope Leo XIV
