Watch: Pope Leo XIV checks out Ferrari's controversial new 'Luce' EV

Pope Leo XIV took the driver's seat of Ferrari’s highly controversial new vehicle, the "Luce" (meaning Light in Italian), the legendary automaker's first-ever fully electric car.

The exclusive viewing took place at the Pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, just south of Rome, where Ferrari President John Elkann and factory test driver Raffaele De Simone personally presented the zero-emissions model to obtaining the ultimate blessing.

During the private showing, the Pope examined the car’s unique design, a major shift from Ferrari’s low, fuel-powered supercars of the past 80 years.

Examining the car's spatial layout, Pope Leo XIV asked Elkann, "Is this the first four-door Ferrari?"

"The first five-seater," Elkann replied, highlighting the vehicle’s pitch toward everyday utility.

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The Pope then slid into the driver's seat to check the interior, designed by legendary former Apple designers Sir Jony Ive and Marc Newson. Ferrari test driver Raffaele De Simone knelt alongside the cockpit, walking the Pontiff through the complex, Formula 1-inspired controls on the steering wheel, while Elkann observed from the passenger seat.

Watch the video here:

Despite its taller hatchback-style design, needed to fit its 880V battery pack, the Luce delivers performance matching Ferrari’s classic hypercars. It features advanced electric motors and a simulated gearbox feel designed to keep drivers connected to Ferrari’s racing heritage.

Papal blessing vs market skepticism

While the Pope’s test sit provided an iconic photo opportunity for the brand, Ferrari is facing severe headwinds from investors and auto purists.

Following its global unveiling on Monday, the Luce was met with immediate market skepticism. Auto critics and internet commenters slammed the design, arguing that hiding the battery pack under the floor forced the vehicle to look too tall, losing the sleek, aggressive lines traditional to Ferrari.

Coupled with a broader global slowdown in luxury EV demand, Wall Street and European markets reacted harshly. Ferrari stock plunged 8.4 per cent in Milan trading and fell 5.3 per cent on US exchanges just a day after the launch.

"We are not simply unveiling a new car, we are inaugurating a chapter that turns our vision into reality," John Elkann insisted in a statement.