Skip to content

You heard of the popemobile, now meet the papal lawn mower

Pope Leo XIV receives an electric lawn mower from Czech manufacturer Swardman during a general audience in mid-November 2025. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Swardman

The Vatican’s gardeners have a new tool for maintaining the papal grounds: a custom-designed electric lawn mower bearing the Holy See’s coat of arms.

Pope Leo XIV received the white Electra 2.0 mower during a general audience in mid-November, a gift from Czech manufacturer Swardman.

The specially commissioned model features leather-lined handles and was hand-assembled at the company’s facility in Šardice, Czech Republic. “It was an incredibly powerful experience full of humility and respect,” Jakub Dvořák, the company’s sales manager who personally presented the gift, told CNA. “The pontiff appreciated the Vatican’s coat of arms placed on the appliance, listened with interest as we explained how it functions, and thanked us very politely.”

The quiet, precision-cutting mower is destined for use in the Vatican Gardens or possibly at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, according to a press release from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which facilitated the presentation.

Founded in 2013, the company manufactures lawn care equipment that it describes as combining functionality with “timeless elegance” suited to historic settings. The Czech Embassy to the Holy See played a key role in arranging the gift, which Dvořák called “a moment of unmistakable magic.”

Vatican gardeners will put the electric mower to work maintaining the manicured lawns that provide green respite within the world’s smallest state.

This article was originally published by CNA.  

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

Pope Francis names consultants to Vatican doctrine office, including controversial theologian

Pope Francis has named 28 new consultors to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, including moral theologian Father Maurizio Chiodi, who has expressed opinions contrary to Church teaching.

Vatican announces Pope Leo XIV’s public Mass schedule for August and September

The Office for Liturgical Celebrations at the Vatican has announced Pope Leo XIV’s public Mass schedule for August and September, following his current stay through July 20 at Castel Gandolfo, the summer retreat of the pontiffs.

PHOTOS: Pilgrims From All Over The World Pass Through Holy Door Of St. Peter’s Basilica

Pilgrims from around the world are passing through the open Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which Pope Francis opened on Christmas Eve to begin the 2025 Jubilee.

Pope Francis’ Message for World Communications Day 2023

Dear Brothers and Sisters, After having reflected in past years on the verbs “to go and see” and

The Eucharist: Sacrament of Unity

Exploring the Eucharist as the central mystery that unites the Church and deepens Christian faith.

The 80th birthday of Cardinal Duka: there are 122 voters

Created a Cardinal by Benedict XVI in 2012, since 2022 he has been the Emeritus Archbishop of Prague.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com