Pope Leo XIV Examines Ferrari's First Fully Electric Car

Pope Leo XIV examined Ferrari's first fully electric vehicle, the Luce, during a visit to his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo ^[1].

The meeting represents a strategic effort by Ferrari to secure high-profile validation for its transition to electric power. The automaker is facing criticism regarding the design of the new model and is seeking to stabilize its image as it pivots away from traditional internal combustion engines [3, 5].

The event took place on June 26, 2024 [2, 5]. Ferrari brought the vehicle to the residence near Rome to provide the pontiff with a direct look at the technology [1, 2, 5]. While some reports suggested the unveiling occurred at the Vatican, multiple sources confirmed the location was the Castel Gandolfo residence [1, 2, 5].

Ferrari's decision to present the Luce to the Pope is part of a broader strategy to demonstrate the brand's commitment to a sustainable future [3, 5]. The company is navigating a controversial period as it attempts to balance its heritage of high-performance engines with the global shift toward electrification ^[3].

There were conflicting reports regarding other attendees at the presentation. One account said the car was presented to both Pope Leo XIV and the president of Italy ^[4]. However, other reports said that only the Pope checked out the vehicle [1, 2].

The Luce is the first fully electric car produced by the Italian manufacturer. By aligning the vehicle with the Pope's public image, Ferrari aims to mitigate the backlash from traditionalists and critics who have questioned the aesthetic and technical direction of the new EV [3, 5].