The history of the Popemobile is filled with holy Mercedes SUVs. The age of the open-top G-Class is long gone though, since some people got the idea of shooting His Holiness.
And so, the Vatican’s special vehicle now has to be an armor plated, bullet proof greenhouse. This is the latest Popemobile, just unveiled at the Vatican and personally presented by Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche himself to Pope Benedict XVI.
"It is an honour for Mercedes-Benz to be accompanying His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his future journeys with our new Popemobile", said Zetsche at the handover of the new Popemobile in Rome. "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."
Compared to the old ML, this Popemobile has better visibility thanks to a larger greenhouse and interior lighting from the roof.
The vehicle arrives just in the nick of time, as the Pope is embarking on a journey to the Spanish Steps to celebrate the Immaculate Conception.
"It is an honour for Mercedes-Benz to be accompanying His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI on his future journeys with our new Popemobile", said Zetsche at the handover of the new Popemobile in Rome. "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."
Compared to the old ML, this Popemobile has better visibility thanks to a larger greenhouse and interior lighting from the roof.
The vehicle arrives just in the nick of time, as the Pope is embarking on a journey to the Spanish Steps to celebrate the Immaculate Conception.