MUNICH: A BMW R 18 Transcontinental motorcycle signed by Pope Leo XIV has been auctioned for €130,000 (RM639,000) plus fees and taxes.
The pontiff signed the vehicle in September at the Vatican, the auction house RM Sotheby's said on Saturday.
Photos on the auction house's website show him sitting on the machine and holding a matching helmet.
A group of so-called Jesus Bikers rode the white motorcycle, said to be inspired by the popemobile, on a three-day journey from the small German town of Schaafheim outside Frankfurt to St Peter's Square in Rome.
The R 18 Transcontinental started the auction at €30,000 (RM147,500), but the price quickly soared.
According to the auction house's website, the proceeds are intended to benefit the Pontifical Mission Societies in Austria and go to children in Madagascar.
The buyer must pay more than just the hammer price.
According to RM Sotheby's, an additional 20% fee and a further 19% value-added tax (VAT) on this fee are also due.
