Pope Leo Receives Two Electric Vehicles for Apostolic Journeys

Vatican City, July 6, 2025: Pope Leo XIV has received two custom-built electric vehicles designed to assist him during his future apostolic journeys abroad.

Developed by the Italian company Exelentia in collaboration with the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City State, the compact vehicles have been engineered to be transported on long-haul flights without requiring dismantling.

The Governatorate of Vatican City State announced the donation in a press release issued on 6th July. The statement described the vehicles as “the result of a fusion of engineering design and the high-level mechanical, electronic, manufacturing, and artisanal expertise” of the team involved in their creation. They are fully electric, producing neither noise nor pollutants.

Both vehicles have been customised to meet the Pope’s specific needs. Notably, “the bodywork was customised with the addition of a front handle and lateral supports under the armrests to offer secure grips and improved comfort when boarding and exiting the vehicle.”

The Gendarmerie Corps oversaw each stage of the project to ensure “maximum efficiency, agility, and security,” particularly given the vehicles’ intended use during international visits. ITA Airways, the airline on which the Pope travels, also contributed to the project by helping define technical and dimensional requirements for air transport.

Pope Leo XIV was presented with the vehicles during a private meeting on 3rd July at the Pontifical Villas in Castel Gandolfo.

Courtesy: Vatican News