An unidentified European buyer has reportedly bought a Harley-Davidson motorbike that briefly belonged to Pope Francis for 241, 500 euros, 16 times its highest original valuation, at an auction in Paris.
The US motorbike maker gave the 1, 585 cc Dyna Super Glide to the Pope in June to mark the brand's 110th anniversary, and although the cardinal never rode it, he signed it before donating it to Roman Catholic charity Caritas Roma.
According to News24, the auction house, Bonhams France, said that the sale is a record for a post-vintage motorbike from the 21st century, adding the pope has another Harley-Davidson even though he is more of a fan of buses.
The report mentioned that the pope rode a bike the day after his election last year instead of taking a limousine, adding that he regularly used them in his homeland Argentina instead of taxis.
The funds from the sale will go towards the restoration of the charity's hostel and soup kitchen based at Rome's Termini railway station.
A jacket that was also given to the pope by Harley-Davidson was snapped up for 57, 500 euros, the report added.
