Pope Francis' Harley-Davidson Motorcycle To Be Auctioned For Charity

In June 2012, Pope Francis received a novel gift that one would not imagine giving the leader of the Catholic world: a 1,585cc Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide with a leather jacket bearing its logo. The motorcycle was gifted to Pope Francis by the American motorcycle manufacturer to commemorate the company's 110th anniversary. It is now being reported that the motorcycle will be auctioned in Grand Palais, Paris by Bonhams, a U.K. auction house, on Feb. 6 as part of the Les Grandes Marques du Monde sale. “We are incredibly honored to be selling this item on behalf of Caritas Roma," said Ben Walker, the head of motorcycles at Bonhams, to the Independent. We hope to be able to do both Pope Francis and Harley-Davidson proud by raising a significant amount of money for a very worthy cause.”

The auction house estimates that the bike -- which has been signed by the Pope from a ceremony in November, according to Reuters -- will rake in anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 euros ($16,400-$20,500), not to mention the leather jacket that has been signed by the Pope. The proceeds will be going to Caritas Roma, a charity affiliated with the Catholic church, who will renovate the Don Luigi di Liegro hostel and soup kitchen located in central Rome at the Termini railway station with the money. The hostel and soup kitchen, which opened its doors 30 years ago, currently provides food and accommodations for more than a thousand homeless and unemployed individuals each days, according to reports.

Bonhams' press release states that his Holiness donated the motorcycle due to his "preference for modest modes of transport." This should come as no surprise, given that Pope Francis chose to be driven in a Ford Focus instead of a more luxurious car like his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who travelled in luxury vehicles. “It hurts me when I see a priest or nun with the latest-model car," said Pope Francis last year. "You can’t do this. A car is necessary to do a lot of work, but, please, choose a more humble one. If you like the fancy one, just think about how many children are dying of hunger in the world."