The pope's car once had a silk-upholstered armchair and later a transparent dome: How the iconic Mercedes-Benz evolved over nearly 100 years

A new exhibition titled A Century of the Popemobile is now on display at the Vatican Museums. It features eight historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles that have served the Pope over the years. The exhibition highlights the evolution from luxury limousines to vehicles designed for public interaction. It illustrates the relationship between the German automaker and the Holy See since 1930. This transformation reflects changing priorities regarding comfort, safety, and public engagement.