A specially modified BMW R 18 Transcontinental was presented to Pope Leo XIV for his blessing and signature at the Vatican. The bike will be auctioned in October 2025, with the proceeds going to children’s aid projects in Madagascar.
This is a press release from BMW Motorrad…
Munich, Germany (September 9, 2025) — On September 3, 2025, a specially modified BMW R 18 Transcontinental was presented to Pope Leo XIV. for his blessing and signature during a celebratory event at the Vatican. This R 18 Transcontinental bearing the Pope’s signature will be auctioned by Missio Austria via Sotheby’s in October 2025, with the proceeds going to children’s aid projects in Madagascar.
The R 18 Transcontinental was donated by BMW Motorrad Deutschland and refined by BMW Motorrad dealer Witzel. Witzel and Thomas Draxler, founder of JESUS-BIKER®, initiated the idea to create an absolutely unique bike for the pope for a good cause. It was painted mother-of-pearl white and the coat of arms of the Vatican was affixed to it, among other modifications.
The unique motorcycle began its journey on August 31, 2025 with a ‘Peace Ride’ from Motorrad Witzel in Sennfeld to Rome, passing through Schaafheim, Altötting and Verona and accompanied by church services. Representatives of JESUS-BIKER®, BMW Motorrad and BMW Witzel joined the journey, mainly riding BMW R 18 motorcycles provided by BMW Motorrad Germany.
On Wednesday, September 3, 2025, Markus Flasch, the CEO of BMW Motorrad and Michael Sommer, head of BMW Motorrad Germany, personally presented the motorcycle to the Pope for blessing and signing, after the general audience at the Vatican.
Markus Flasch sums it up: “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 R18 Transcontinental. I would also like to thank Pope Leo XIV for taking the time to support this project.”
This unique R 18 Transcontinental will be on display at BMW Welt in Munich from September 15 to October 7, 2025, until the auction.
Learn more about the bike and auction at https://rmsothebys.com/auctions/mu25/lots/r0033-2024-bmw-r-18-transcontinental/
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