A blessed motorcycle and a good cause: a specially personalized BMW R 18 Transcontinental, which was inaugurated and signed by Pope Leo
During a solemn ceremony on September 3, 2025 in the Vatican, the Pope received the unique R 18 Transcontinental from BMW Motorrad. The motorcycle, a luxury touring version with a touch of German excess and a generous dash of papal symbolism, was then auctioned by Missio Austria via Sotheby’s at Motorworld Munich.
All proceeds will go to children’s aid projects in Madagascar, with which BMW Motorrad and Missio Austria jointly provide a special gesture of solidarity.
BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Flasch said:
A blessed cruiser
The BMW R 18 Transcontinental is not a modest appearance in itself — with its 1,802 cc boxer engine, luxurious finish and imposing front, the Bavarian metal is at its most baroque. However, for this occasion the bike was given a bespoke finish, including papal decals, a special paint job and a decorated tank, which was later personally signed by Pope Leo XIV.
The Pope’s blessing and signature made the machine a collector’s item of the highest spiritual level — literally and figuratively a sacred cow.
From Vatican to auction
After the ceremony in Rome, the engine was transferred to Germany, where Sotheby’s arranged the auction. In Motorworld Munich, among classic and modern gems, the papal R 18 attracted a lot of attention. Bidders from multiple countries competed for the unique copy, which ultimately sold for 130,000 euros — far above the regular sales price of the standard Transcontinental.
The amount flows entirely to Missio Austria, the Catholic mission organization that supports development projects worldwide. In this case, the funds are used to finance education and medical care for children in Madagascar.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.