Ola Källenius, the CEO of the German luxury car brand Mercedes-Benz gifted the “popemobile” on 4 December, Wednesday. The modified G-Class features a heated swivel seat and heated handrail to keep the Pope warm as he greets pilgrims during winter strolls around St. Peter’s Square.
The white, all-electric SUV bears Francis’ coat of arms, black details and chrome rims. Two small flags of the Holy See flutter on the front hood.
The license plate of the papal vehicle is “SCV 1,” the Italian acronym for Vatican City State.
Mercedes-Benz has been supplying vehicles to the Vatican for 94 years. For the past 45 years, the Pope has used “popemobiles” based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
“With the new popemobile, Pope Francis is the first pontiff to travel in a fully electric Mercedes-Benz during his public appearances. It is a great honour for our company and I would like to thank His Holiness for his trust,” Källenius said in a press release on 4 December.