By Christopher Wells
Pope Leo XIV thanked executives of Mercedes-Benz, along with the “many generations of designers, engineers, and workers” of the German automobile manufacturers, for their longstanding collaboration with the Holy See.
The visit to the Vatican comes in the context of a special exhibition, “A Century of the Popemobile,” marking one hundred years since the first Mercedes-Benz automobile was delivered to Pope Pius XI in 1930.
“The exhibition offers an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable advances in automotive technology, as well as the deeper significance of the journeys undertaken by the Successors of Peter,” Pope Leo said on Wednesday.
He noted that the Popemobile has “evolved from a means of transportation into an instrument of encounter,” allowing the Popes to draw closer to the faithful in the course of their ministry.
“In this way,” Pope Leo told Mercedes-Benz executives, “your work has helped facilitate the Church’s mission of reaching out to people and bringing a message of faith, of hope and of charity to the world.”
The Pope also noted the “pastoral concern” reflected in the gift of the first fully electric Popemobile, presented by Mercedes-Benz to Pope Francis ahead of the 2025 Jubilee of Hope.
Recalling his predecessor’s encouragement of automakers to make “mobility truly sustainable and accessible,” Pope Leo encouraged his audience “to continue placing technological innovation at the service of human dignity, care for creation and the common good.” – Vatican News
