Pope Leo XIV sat behind the wheel of the Ferrari Luce, the company's first fully electric model [1], during a presentation this Wednesday.
The event marks a rare intersection of the papacy and the luxury automotive industry, signaling a symbolic endorsement of sustainable technology by the Holy See.
The presentation took place at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy [2]. The pontiff was joined by Ferrari President John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna to showcase the new vehicle [2]. The Luce represents the first fully electric model in the history of the Italian manufacturer [3].
The gathering was designed to highlight a symbolic moment of human and technological collaboration [4]. By placing the pontiff in the driver's seat, the event emphasized a transition toward greener energy and innovation within one of Italy's most iconic industrial brands [4].
John Elkann said the meeting was a moment of extraordinary human and symbolic value. "It was a great emotion and an immense honor to meet His Holiness together with my colleagues from Ferrari," Elkann said [5].
The Ferrari Luce project is described as a futuristic endeavor that still maintains references to the historical heritage of the brand [3]. The event at Castel Gandolfo serves as a high-profile introduction for the electric vehicle before its broader market rollout.
Representatives for the Vatican and Ferrari did not provide further technical specifications for the vehicle during the presentation. The focus remained on the collaboration between the spiritual leader and the automotive executives in a shared commitment to the future of transport [4].
“The Luce represents the first fully electric model in the history of the Italian manufacturer.”
This collaboration aligns the Vatican's recent public emphasis on environmental stewardship and climate action with a tangible shift in the global automotive industry. By associating the papacy with Ferrari's first electric vehicle, the event frames the transition to electric mobility not merely as a commercial shift, but as a moral and technological evolution.
