Germany New Popemobile: Pope switches to electric

Pope Francis is going all-electric with his papamobile. Shortly before his 88th birthday, the head of 1.4 billion Catholics took delivery of a new vehicle in the Vatican: a custom-built Mercedes-Benz that for the first time drives completely without harmful CO2 emissions.

The popes have been chauffeured in cars from Germany for almost 100 years. However, Francis is now one of the first heads of state to say goodbye to the combustion engine in such a demonstrative way.

The Vatican also wants to be the first country in the world to have only electric cars in its fleet by 2030. The Pope also never tires of emphasizing the importance of a healthy environment and warning against climate change.

Once a week across St. Peter's Square

Francis normally drives around St. Peter's Square once a week in the papamobile - a neologism made up of papa (Italian for pope) and (car) mobile - to show himself to the faithful. However, papamobiles are also used when the pontiff travels abroad. The term was popularized above all by Pope John Paul II, who died in 2005 and was not deterred from such trips even after an assassination attempt.

The all-electric model is a further development of the G580 electric off-road vehicle. With its custom-made gearbox, it can also travel at walking pace over longer distances. The Pope sits practically at the back of the loading area: on a raised chair that can be rotated. This allows him to point and wave in all directions. There is an attachment for bad weather.

SDA