Mercedes-Benz has made history by gifting Pope Francis the first-ever fully electric Popemobile, a custom convertible electric G-Class, presented on December 4, 2024. The occasion marks a significant moment for both sustainable automotive innovation and the Vatican’s embrace of environmental responsibility.

Details of the Electric Popemobile

• Model: A specially adapted electric G-Class SUV, fulfilling Pope Francis’s preference for environmentally friendly vehicles.
• Features: Tailored to meet the Pope’s specific requirements, including modifications for safety, visibility, and ceremonial use.

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Significance and Statements

• Britta Seeger, Head of Sales and Marketing at Mercedes-Benz, emphasized the alignment between the Popemobile’s design and the company’s goals for electromobility and decarbonization.
  • She stated, “We are overjoyed to fulfill the Holy Father’s wish for an electric Popemobile… sending out a clear call for electromobility and decarbonization.”
• Net Carbon Neutrality by 2039: The gesture aligns with Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to achieving a net-carbon-neutral car fleet by 2039.

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Pope Francis and Environmental Advocacy

Pope Francis has been a vocal advocate for environmental stewardship, particularly through his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’, which underscores the importance of addressing climate change and reducing ecological harm. The electric Popemobile complements his message by promoting sustainable innovation.

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Mercedes-Benz’s Legacy with the Vatican

This is not the first time Mercedes-Benz has created a custom vehicle for the papacy, but the introduction of an electric model represents a groundbreaking step in integrating sustainability with tradition. It reinforces the automotive industry’s role in shaping a more environmentally responsible future.

The unveiling of the electric Popemobile serves as a powerful symbol of technological progress meeting moral responsibility, inspiring a global audience to consider sustainable choices.