Harley-Davidson motorcycle blessed by the Pope sells for Rs 32.95 lakh

A Harley-Davidson Softail Heritage carrying the signature of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and later received by Pope Francis has been sold at an auction. The special motorcycle was sold for a bid of £34,684 or Rs 32.95 lakh, twice than the estimated price for the motorcycle. The Harley-Davidson motorcycle was auctioned by Bonhams at Grand Palais in Paris.

The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Stowarzyszenie Przyjazny Zwiat Dziecka (Friendly World Association), a Polish volunteer, independent, non-profit organization that offers care and support to children and families in need. In October 2013, when Harley-Davidson was celebrating its 110th anniversary in Italy, Pope Benedict signed two Harley Davidson tanks that was sent back to Milwaukee and installed on their respective motorcycles.

The motorcycle was supposed to be presented to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI but he stepped down in January 2013 because of which the Harley-Davidson Softail was handed over to the newly inaugurated Pope, his holiness Pope Francis. One of the two signed motorcycles is on display at the Harley-Davidson museum and the latter is the motorcycle which would be put on auction. The winning bid was made by a mysterious telephone bidder who also brought the Pope Francis  Harley-Davidson Dyna Super Glide that was sold for a whopping Rs 1.8 crore at the same auction last year.