Pope's Harley-Davidson to be auctioned by Bonhams for charity

Pope receives the Harley-Davidson

To mark the 110th anniversary of the motorcycle brand, Pope Francis was presented with the 1,585cc Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide in June 2013. Now, in what is a rare and exceptional opportunity, the machine is to be auctioned for charity by Bonhams at the Grand Palais on 6 February 2014.

The sale, which is taking place as part of Rétromobile Week, will see the motorcycle raise funds for Caritas Roma, which works on behalf of the Catholic church to support those in need around the world. It was donated to the charity by Pope Francis, who is famous for his work with the poor and his preference for modest modes of transport.

The Harley-Davidson, which has an estimate of €12,000-15,000, is to be sold with no reserve in aid of Caritas Roma. Funds raised by the sale will go towards the renovation of the charity’s Don Luigi di Liegro hostel and soup kitchen based at Rome’s Termini railway station.

The hostel opened 30 years ago to help the homeless, jobless and the poor, and the money raised by the Harley Davidson’s sale will allow it to continue to provide food and accommodation to more than 1,000 people in need every day.

Signed on the tank by his Holiness at a special ceremony at the Vatican in November, the machine is also offered with a certificate of conformity from Harley-Davidson.

Ben Walker, head of motorcycles at Bonhams, said: “We are incredibly honoured to be selling this item on behalf of Caritas Roma. 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 Harley-Davidson will be sold on 6 February 2014 as part of Bonhams’ Les Grandes Marques du Monde sale at the Grand Palais in Paris.

For more information see: www.bonhams.com/locations/PARI/#/MR1_myauctions=ALL&u1=upcoming&m1=1