---
title: Pope Leo XIV Thanks Mercedes for Nearly 100 Years of Papamobiles
url: https://www.faithfulnews.com/en/pope-leo-xiv-thanks-mercedes-for-nearly-100-years-of-papamobiles
published: 2026-10-31T13:49:35+00:00
language: en
section: World Church
source: https://www.domradio.de/artikel/papst-dankt-mercedes-fuer-fast-100-jahre-papamobil
organizations: Mercedes-Benz, Vatican Museums
publisher: FaithfulNews
---

# Pope Leo XIV Thanks Mercedes for Nearly 100 Years of Papamobiles

Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude to the German automaker Mercedes-Benz for providing vehicles for nearly 100 years.

Speaking on Wednesday before company representatives, the Pope stated that the Papamobile has evolved from a simple means of transport into a tool for meeting people during public celebrations and papal visits. He noted that this work helped support the mission of the church to reach out to people and carry messages of faith, hope, and charity to the world.

Leo XIV encouraged the company to continue placing technological innovations in service of the common good, the care for creation, and human dignity. He highlighted the first fully electric Papamobile, created for Pope Francis for the Holy Year 2025, as an example of sustainability, which is a concern of the church.

An exhibition titled A Century of Papamobiles opens Thursday at the Vatican Museums. The display features eight historical vehicles, including the 1930 Mercedes-Benz Nürburg 460, which was the first vehicle regularly used by a pope. Other exhibits include a Mercedes-Benz 300 d Landaulet made for John XXIII in 1960, a modern S-Class, and the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, which is considered the first automobile in history.

Marc Langenbrinck, the president of the company in Italy, wrote in the exhibition catalog that it is an honor and a privilege for Mercedes-Benz to have provided this service to the pope for nearly a century. The Pope noted that generations of employees, engineers, and designers made this long partnership possible through their expertise and commitment.

## This story in other languages

- [Español](https://www.faithfulnews.com/es/una-honra-y-un-privilegio-papa-agradece-a-mercedes-por-casi-100-anos-de-papamovil)
- [Nederlands](https://www.faithfulnews.com/nl/paus-leo-xiv-bedankt-zich-bij-mercedes-benz-voor-bijna-honderd-jaar-dienstverlening-met-voertuigen)
- [Norsk](https://www.faithfulnews.com/no/paven-takker-mercedes-for-nesten-100-ar-med-pavemobiler)
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