A unique white BMW R18 motorcycle, personally autographed by Pope Leo XIV, is set to be auctioned by Sotheby's in Munich. The motorcycle was a gift to the Pope from the "Jesus Bikers" community during a public audience in St. Peter's Square on September 3, 2025. Pope Francis blessed and signed the motorcycle, a custom creation by Germany's Witzel company, before briefly sitting on it to acknowledge the attendees.
The proceeds from this auction are designated for the establishment of an educational facility in Madagascar. This facility will support children involved in the mica mining industry, with oversight from the Pontifical Mission Societies of Austria. The initiative highlights the difficult conditions faced by an estimated 10,000 to 20,000 children in Madagascar who work in hazardous conditions in the mica mining sector, often with little pay and no access to education. The school aims to provide them with a better future.
This event continues a tradition of Vatican-led charitable initiatives. In 2017, a Lamborghini Huracán, also autographed by the then-Pope Francis and auctioned by Sotheby's in Monaco, raised substantial funds, reportedly between $861,000 and $970,000. The proceeds from that sale supported reconstruction efforts in Iraq and humanitarian projects in Africa.
Sotheby's will manage the upcoming auction, with further details on participation and bidding to be released through their official channels. This event underscores the connection between unique contributions and the potential for transformative change, offering a way to foster global solidarity and support for those in need.