Report: Mercedes to unveil new eco-friendly popemobile

BERLIN (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has a lot of ground to cover when he
heads back home to Germany this September, but thanks to a new
popemobile from Mercedes, at least 30 of those kilometers (18.5 miles)
will be on the greener side.

The Vatican has contracted with Mercedes for the first-ever hybrid
popemobile, according to a report by business magazine Wirtschaftswoche. Citing company sources associated with the top-secret project, the
magazine reported that the vehicle, based on Mercedes' M Class, would
come with both a battery and a gasoline engine.

It was never considered, according to the report, to resort to an
entirely battery-powered car since security threats require the pope to
always have the option of a quick getaway.