Shortly before his 88th birthday, the head of 1.4 billion Catholics is treating himself to a new set of wheels: a custom-made vehicle from Mercedes-Benz that for the first time is emission free.
Popes have been driven around in special cars for almost 100 years, but Pope Francis is now one of the first heads of state to make such a demonstrative break with the combustion engine.
What’s more, the Vatican is set to become the first country in the world to have only electric cars by 2030. The Pope never tires of emphasising the importance of the environment and warning of climate change.
Although the German motor industry is struggling to sell electric cars, Volkswagen’s business with the Vatican has thrived in recent years, with the Vatican buying 40 carbon-neutral vehicles this year.
Pope Francis’ Popemobile usually takes him across St Peter’s Square once a week to allow the faithful to catch a glimpse of him. But Popemobiles are also used when a pontiff goes on trips abroad.
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