A white and gold Lamborghini that Pope Francis received as a gift from the luxury carmaker last year will be auctioned off at Sotherby's on 12 May. The Huracán RWD Coupé is a one-of-a-kind car that also features the Pope's "Francesco" signature in black marker on the hood.
Sothesby's estimated the car's value at around 250,000 to 350,000 Euros or almost $300,000 to $400,000. If sold, at least 70 percent of the proceeds will go to rebuilding churches and homes in Nineveh in Iraq, a city devastated by ISIS. Part of the money will also go to the Amici per il Centrafrica Onlus, Groupe International Chirurgiens Amis de la Main and Pope John XXIII Community Association. These charities provide support for migrant women and medical aid to the people of Africa.
His Holiness blessed and signed the luxury gift last November, thus increasing its value. In the past, Pope Francis also received a Harley-Davidson motorcycle that was originally priced at $13,000 but was sold at auction for $327,000 thanks to his signature on the tank.
As with most things, the Pope's personal preference in transportation is quite simple. He frequently overlooks the Papal Mercedes in favor of using an old Renault to get around - car that was also a gift from an Italian priest.
Pope Francis often prefers not to ride in the special bulletproof vehicle, the Pope Mobile, during his trips to other countries.
"It's true that anything could happen, but let's face it, at my age I don't have much to lose," the Pope told a Spanish newspaper in 2014. "I know that something could happen to me, but it's in the hands of God."
