Stellantis visits the Pope, but His Holiness will get US car

Pope Francis met the Stellantis team, and the electric Fiat 500 at Vatican City. Photo: Stellantis

Newly formed automotive giant Stellantis had a special visit to Vatican City after his Holiness Pope Francis granted an audience to the bosses.

Stellantis was formed after a merger with Italian Fiat Chrysler and French PSA Group, making it the eighth-largest automaker worldwide. 

The automotive delegation was led by Stellantis Chairman John Elkann, Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares, and Olivier François, CEO of the Fiat Brand.

Pope Francis received the delegation, who presented the purpose and values of Stellantis, its commitment to sustainable mobility, and the new Fiat 500 electric car. Stellantis has a motto “corporate social responsibility”.

Fisker will convert its Ocean SUV, with solar roof, for Pope Francis. Photo: Supplied

But it seems that Pope Francis won’t only be adding a Fiat 500 to his fleet, instead Los Angeles-based Fisker Inc plans to supply the first pure electric vehicle for Pope Francis next year, with features such as a solar roof and carpets made of recycled plastic bottles from the ocean.

Fisker will covert its all-electric Ocean sport utility vehicle for use by the pope, providing a retractable glass cupola and sustainable interior materials, such as the carpets.

Co-founders Henrik Fisker, formerly a designer for British luxury carmaker Aston Martin (AML.L), and Dr. Geeta Gupta-Fisker met the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Vatican City, the company said.

"I got inspired reading that Pope Francis is very considerate about the environment and the impact of climate change for future generations," said Fisker.