Pope Leo XIV sat in the driver's seat of the Ferrari Luce, the company's first fully electric car, during a presentation on May 26, 2026 [1].
The event represents a high-profile intersection of traditional Italian luxury and the global transition toward sustainable transport. By presenting the vehicle to the pontiff, Ferrari aims to showcase its electric-future technology to a global audience.
The presentation took place at Castel Gandolfo, located near Rome, Italy [2]. While the Pope took a close look at the vehicle and occupied the driver's seat, he did not take a test drive of the model [3].
Ferrari designed the Luce as a flagship for its shift away from internal combustion engines. The company utilized the presentation at the papal residence to gain significant exposure for the new technology [4].
Observers noted the contrast between the austere setting of the papal summer residence and the high-tech nature of the electric vehicle. The Luce is the first model in the manufacturer's history to rely entirely on electric power [5].
“Pope Leo XIV sat in the driver's seat of the Ferrari Luce”
This encounter signals Ferrari's strategic effort to align its brand with the broader environmental goals often championed by the Vatican. By securing the Pope's attention for the Luce, Ferrari is attempting to legitimize the transition of ultra-luxury performance cars into the electric era, moving beyond mere technical specifications to a broader cultural endorsement of sustainable luxury.
