A one-of-a-kind BMW R 18 Transcontinental blessed and signed by Pope Leo XIV has sold for 130,000 euros at a Sotheby’s auction in Munich. The motorcycle, donated by BMW Motorrad and auctioned by Missio Austria, will help fund children’s aid projects in Madagascar.
The custom-built tourer was first presented to the Pontiff in early September during a special ceremony at the Vatican, where he blessed and signed the bike. A few weeks later, it took center stage at Motorworld Munich, drawing strong interest from collectors and charity supporters alike.
The motorcycle and the charity drive
The distinctive BMW R 18 Transcontinental started life as a standard model before being transformed into a one-off collector’s item. Painted in a shimmering mother-of-pearl white and bearing the Vatican coat of arms, it was customized by BMW Motorrad dealer Witzel with support from BMW Motorrad Germany and the faith-based group JESUS-BIKER.
The bike’s journey began in late August with a symbolic “Peace Ride” from Sennfeld, Germany, to Rome, joined by representatives from BMW and JESUS-BIKER. The team rode mostly on R 18s, stopping for church services along the route. Once in Rome, BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Flasch and BMW Motorrad Germany head Michael Sommer presented the bike to Pope Leo XIV, who blessed it and signed the tank during his weekly general audience at the Vatican.
Flasch later called the project “a great charity campaign” and said BMW was proud to help raise funds for children in Madagascar. The company displayed the Pope’s bike at BMW Welt in Munich ahead of the October auction, where it eventually sold for 130,000 euros.
Where the money goes
The auction proceeds are being directed to Missio Austria’s ongoing work supporting children’s aid projects in Madagascar. The organization funds education, healthcare, and nutrition programs in underserved communities.
