A Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was once given to Pope Francis by the manufacturer is to go on sale next month in Paris, a British auction house said Monday. The 1,585cc Dyna Super Glide was given given to the pope in June to mark the 110th anniversary of the US motorbike maker, London-based auctioneer Bonhams said.
The bike, which is signed by Pope Francis on the petrol tank, is expected to fetch between $16K and $20K when it goes on sale at the Grand Palais in Paris on February 6. They will also be auctioning off on a Harley-Davidson 110th anniversary leather motorcycle jacket, size XL, signed by Francis.
The pope donated the Harley in November to the Roman Catholic charity Caritas Roma and the funds from the sale will go towards the restoration of its Don Luigi di Liegro hostel and soup kitchen based at Rome’s Termini railway station.
“We are incredibly honoured to be selling this item on behalf of Caritas Roma,” said Ben Walker, head of motorcycles at Bonhams.
“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.”
Pope Francis, 77, is not thought to have ridden the Harley. The famously humble pontiff is more of a fan of buses. He opted to ride one the day after his election last year instead of taking a limousine, and regularly used them in his homeland Argentina instead of taxis.
