Pope Francis has been gifted a bespoke Lamborghini supercar. The famously ascetic pontiff publicly blessed the car, but elected that it be auctioned off with the proceeds used to help Christian communities attempting to rebuild in the Middle East.

The gleaming white-and-gold Lamborghini Huracán, which ususally sells at around €180,000, was made specifically for the Pope by the car manufacturer. Pope Francis blessed the vehicle - and signed its bonnet - at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta yesterday, according to The Telegraph.

Choosing not to upgrade his papal transportation, the Pope has determined that the Lamborghini be auctioned at the London-based auctioneer Sotheby's, and proceeds raised will go to three charities chosen by the Pope. These include the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), and its efforts to support Christians rebuilding their homes on Iraq's Nineveh Plains, following the devastation wrought by ISIS.

Two Italian charities, one supporting migrant women made victims of forced prostitution and trafficking, and another providing medical aid in Africa, will also be supported.

'We have thanked the Holy Father and assured him that we will use his gift well – by bringing thousands more Christians back to Nineveh,' said Alfredo Mantovano and Alessandro Monteduro, president and director of ACN (Italy), according to the Catholic Herald.

'We also want to stress, together with the Holy Father, that our plan is the result of a significant process of reconciliation and forgiveness, and the result of an agreement between local Churches, whose priests and religious collaborate actively, and work together to practically assist Iraq's Christians.'

They added that Lamborghini's gift was 'a good example of how big companies can actually help Christians who suffer'.