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VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A new Vatican exhibit celebrates nearly 100 years of one of the world’s most recognizable cars: the popemobile. From brocade seats to electric motors, the eight historic vehicles on display trace the history of how papal transportation went from stately limousines to more practical cars designed to give crowds a view of the pope.

“Over the decades, the popemobile has evolved from a means of transportation into an instrument of encounter, enabling the pontiff to draw closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations,” Pope Leo XIV told organizers of the exhibit during a private meeting at the Vatican on Wednesday (Oct. 28).

“In this way, your work has helped facilitate the church’s mission of reaching out to people and bringing a message of faith, hope and charity to the world,” he said.

“A Century of Popemobiles,” which will be open to the public Thursday (Oct.…