This is the Pope’s ride, a BMW R 18 Transcontinental blessed by Pope Leo XIV before being auctioned for charity.
The Pope’s ride is a specially modified BMW R 18 Transcontinental has been presented to the pontiff as part of a charity campaign that will benefit children’s projects in Madagascar.
On 3 September 2025, BMW Motorrad CEO Markus Flasch and Michael Sommer, head of BMW Motorrad Germany, personally handed over the unique machine to the Pope during a celebratory event at the Vatican. The motorcycle received the Pope’s blessing and signature and will go under the hammer at a Sotheby’s auction in October, organised by Missio Austria.
Donated by BMW Motorrad Deutschland and customised by BMW Motorrad dealer Witzel, the one-off R 18 Transcontinental was finished in mother-of-pearl white and features the Vatican coat of arms among other special details. The idea was conceived by Witzel and JESUS-BIKER founder Thomas Draxler as a way of creating a singular bike for a good cause.
Before reaching the Vatican, the motorcycle embarked on a ‘Peace Ride’ on 31 August, departing from Motorrad Witzel in Sennfeld and travelling via Schaafheim, Altötting and Verona. Accompanied by church services along the way, representatives of JESUS-BIKER, BMW Motorrad and BMW Witzel joined the journey, riding mainly BMW R 18 models provided by BMW Motorrad Germany.
Flasch said: “What initially sounded more like a crazy idea has developed into a great charity campaign. I am happy that we at BMW Motorrad can support aid projects for children in Madagascar with our R 18 Transcontinental. I would also like to thank Pope Leo XIV for taking the time to support this project.”
The Pope-signed R 18 Transcontinental will be on public display at BMW Welt in Munich from 15 September until 7 October 2025, before the auction takes place.
