Pope Leo XIV sat in the driver’s seat of the Ferrari Luce, the company's first fully electric model, on Tuesday [1].

The event marks a symbolic intersection between one of the world's most traditional institutions and a luxury automotive brand shifting toward sustainable energy. By presenting the vehicle to the pontiff, Ferrari signals its commitment to an electric future while aligning its brand image with global environmental concerns.

The presentation took place on May 26, 2026 [1] at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence located near Rome, Italy [1]. Pope Leo XIV was accompanied by Ferrari chairman John Elkann and test driver Raffaele de Simone during the viewing [1].

During the encounter, the Pope was presented with a steering wheel from the vehicle as a commemorative gift [1]. The Luce represents the first instance of a fully electric powertrain for the Italian manufacturer, departing from the internal combustion engines that have defined the brand for decades [2].

While some reports indicate that the vehicle was also presented to the president of Italy, the primary focus of the event at the summer residence remained the interaction between the Pope and the new model [2]. The visit allowed the pontiff to get a close look at the interior and exterior design of the car before its wider commercial release [1].

Ferrari executives used the occasion to showcase the technical direction of the company. The transition to electric vehicles is a significant pivot for the brand, which has historically relied on the sound and mechanics of gasoline engines to maintain its prestige [2].

“Pope Leo XIV sat in the driver’s seat of the Ferrari Luce”

This gesture serves as a high-profile endorsement of electric mobility from the Vatican. By choosing the Pope for this unveiling, Ferrari is attempting to frame its transition to electric power not just as a corporate necessity for emissions compliance, but as a moral alignment with the Catholic Church's recent emphasis on environmental stewardship and the protection of the planet.