The Vatican and Mercedes-Benz have launched an exhibition titled Mercedes-Benz: A Century of Popemobiles. The display is located in a glass pavilion near the Vatican Pinacoteca and will remain open until January 31, 2027.
The exhibition features eight historic vehicles that track the evolution of papal transport since 1930. The collection starts with the Nürburg 460, which was the first Mercedes-Benz supplied to the Holy See for Pope Pius XI.
The display includes notable models such as the 1960 300 d Landaulet, the 1965 600 Pullman-Landaulet, and the 1967 300 SEL Pullman. These vehicles showcase custom modifications like extended wheelbases, raised roofs, and specialized seating.
The collection also highlights the transition to the G-Class-based Popemobiles introduced in 1980, which featured transparent domes for public appearances. Later models, including the 2002 ML 430 and 2012 ML 500, refined this design with integrated enclosures.
Each vehicle in the exhibition reflects specific operational requirements, ranging from armored protection added to the 230 GE in 1982 to the electrohydraulic roof system installed in the 1997 S 500 Long Landaulet.
