Pope Francis receives keys to a new Popemobile

Yesterday morning, Pope Francis received Dieter Zetsche, president of Daimler AG, which runs several automobile makers including Mercedes-Benz. Zetsche symbolically presented the Holy Father with the keys to the Popemobile that will be used at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

It was a great joy for me to meet with Pope Francis, Zetsche said. We will accompany Pope Francis in his first apostolic trip to Brazil, continuing a tradition that fills our employees with pride.
The president of Daimler AG also conveyed his company’s commitment in developing sustainable mobility for the future to the Holy Father. In a communique released yesterday, Daimler affirmed that it has and will continue to contribute significant investments in research and development devoted to green technologies.

Mercedes-Benz has provided transportation for the Popes in the past 80 years, beginning with the Nurburg 460 limousine delivered to Pius XI in 1930.