World

Pope's Harley Davidson being sold for charity

15:18 pm on 14 January 2014

A Harley Davidson motorbike given to Pope Francis will be auctioned for charity in Paris on 6 February.

Pope Francis looks at a Harley Davidson motorcycle in Saint Peter's Square last June. Photo: AFP / Osservatore Romano

Auctioneer Bonhams said on Monday the sale is to raise funds for Caritas Roma, a charity working on behalf of the Catholic Church.

The 1585cc Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide was presented to the Pope in June last year to mark the motorcycle brand's 110th anniversary, Reuters reports.

The Pope donated the motorcycle to Caritas and it is not clear if he actually rode it.

"I suspect that it will (have) a very limited mileage," said Ben Walker of Bonhams.

The motorcycle was signed on the tank by Francis in a ceremony at the Vatican in November. A Harley Davidson leather jacket also signed by the Pope will be sold immediately after the motorcycle.

Proceeds will go towards the renovation of a hostel and soup kitchen based in the central Termini rail station in Rome.