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BMW today said that on 3 September 2025, a specially modified BMW R 18 Transcontinental motorcycle 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. Markus Flasch, the CEO of BMW Motorrad and Michael Sommer, head of BMW Motorrad Germany, presented the motorcycle to the Pope for blessing and signing, after the general audience at the Vatican.
“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,” said Flasch.
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®, came up with the idea to create a 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 R 18 Transcontinental began its journey on 31 August 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.
The one-off R 18 Transcontinental will be on display at BMW Welt in Munich from 15 September to 7 October 2025 until the auction.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
A BMW Motorcycle for Pope Leo XIV?
Click for more.
BMW today said that on 3 September 2025, a specially modified BMW R 18 Transcontinental motorcycle 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. Markus Flasch, the CEO of BMW Motorrad and Michael Sommer, head of BMW Motorrad Germany, presented the motorcycle to the Pope for blessing and signing, after the general audience at the Vatican.
“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,” said Flasch.
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®, came up with the idea to create a 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 R 18 Transcontinental began its journey on 31 August 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.
The one-off R 18 Transcontinental will be on display at BMW Welt in Munich from 15 September to 7 October 2025 until the auction.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.