Pope Leo XIV, on Wednesday, briefly rode a custom BMW motorcycle presented to him. A group of black-clad bikers rolled into St Peter’s Square to present the Pope with the motorcycle, which will be auctioned for charity. The Christian Jesus Bikers arrived in Rome after a three-day ride from Schaafheim, Germany, as part of a Jubilee of Hope pilgrimage. At the end of his general audience on September 3, the pope blessed and signed the white BMW R 18 motorcycle and briefly climbed onto the seat to applause from the bikers. The motorcycle, redesigned by Germany’s Witzel company, will be auctioned in Munich on October 18. Proceeds will benefit children working in mica mines in Madagascar through Missio Austria.

Father Karl Wallner, director of Missio Austria, said the pilgrimage aimed “not just for fun or to meet the pope, but to help the poorest of the poor.” Pope Leo appeared to enjoy the motorcycle, telling the BMW CEO that he liked to drive it himself. “I think we have the first motorcycling pope,” Wallner said. About 30 members of the club also passed through the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica and attended Mass together. The Jesus Bikers, which has over 100 members worldwide, have a history of presenting motorcycles to popes. Pope Francis, an honourary member, received a white bike from the club in 2019, and in 2013, Harley-Davidson owners gave him two bikes and a jacket. One Harley-Davidson and the jacket later raised over $350,000 for charity in a 2014 auction.