Mercedes-Benz presents the Pope with an updated new Popemobile

The Pope, one of the most influential figures in the world, usually travels around the Popemobile - an informal name for a specially designed vehicle during outdoor public appearances.

The Popemobile allows the public to see the Pope and has come across many different designs since the late Pope John Paul II first used a modified truck to greet crowds on his first trip to Poland as Pope. The current Pope Benedict XVI follows the tradition and will soon have a new vehicle to travel around.

A new Popemobile, based on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, has been presented at the Vatican to Pope Benedict XVI by Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

With the new delivery, Mercedes-Benz continues an 80-year tradition of providing reliable and safe vehicles for the Pope. Work on the new Popemobile began around nine months ago and was designed and produced by Mercedes-Benz.

"It is an honour for Mercedes-Benz to be accompanying His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his future journeys with our new Popemobile. As such, we are continuing our long-standing partnership with the Vatican. For more than 80 years now, Popes have been able to rely on the quality, safety and comfort of our Mercedes-Benz vehicles," said Zetsche at the handover of the new Popemobile in Rome

The Pope will make use of the Popemobile at public appearances both in Rome and abroad. Utilising the vehicle allows the Pope to get to the public as close as possible within the highest levels of safety and comfort. The Popemobile hosts the latest technological highlights from the current M-Class on top of a a new interior design. The dome of the new Popemobile has been extended to allow more space and a convenient entry access. The general public can also have a better view of the Pope due to larger glass panels and illuminated roof lining. 

Like all Popemobiles, the body is finished in diamond white and has a reduced height for easier transport of the vehicle via airplanes. After the preceeding Popemobile reaches the end of their working lives, they will be on display at both the Vatican and the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.