Pope Francis Once Received a Lamborghini and Did the Coolest Thing Possible With It
A white-and-gold Lamborghini Huracán, with a price tag close to $1 million, once arrived in Vatican City as a gift for Pope Francis. Cameras recorded him signing the hood, which was unexpected, considering his commitment to modest living. With such an extravagant car in his possession, many were curious about how he intended to use it.
A Gift That Never Needed A Parking Spot
Image via Pexels/Mohit Hambiria
It all began in 2017 when Lamborghini delivered a custom Huracán to the Vatican. The car was painted in the colors of the Vatican flag and brought to Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis blessed it and signed the hood. His signature increased collectors’ interest, but he never intended to keep the vehicle. Instead, he directed that it be auctioned for charity.
By the time the Huracán reached the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco in 2018, anticipation had grown. The final bid reached $950,000, far higher than the typical price of a standard Huracán. Buyers knew the proceeds would support communities experiencing hardship, which added purpose to the excitement surrounding the sale.
A Supercar Becomes a Support Around The World
The sale generated a substantial portion of funds for Aid to the Church in Need, which dedicated approximately $240,000 to rebuilding areas of Iraq’s Nineveh Plains. ISIS had pushed Christian families out and left their homes and churches in ruins. The donation helped restart daily life in towns that had waited for stability to return.
Pope Francis also directed money to the Pope John XXIII Community, which works with survivors of human trafficking. The group reported helping thousands of women escape exploitation since the late 1980s. The funding played a crucial role in establishing a new refuge that provides safety and counseling to victims in need.
The remainder was allocated to medical and missionary work across Central Africa through Friends of Central Africa and GICAM. These organizations assist clinics and outreach teams that serve underserved communities. The Huracán, engineered for speed, ultimately fueled projects built for recovery and survival.
A Pattern Of Redirecting Luxury
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Livioandronico2013
This wasn’t a one-time move. Pope Francis had already auctioned a Harley-Davidson motorcycle in 2013 and raised more than $300,000 for charity. Even a Harley jacket with his signature attracted tens of thousands of dollars. Items linked to the papacy often attract steep bids, which turn unexpected gifts into reliable fundraising tools.
News of the Huracán spread online and quickly created jokes. Users called it the ‘Popeborghini’ and wondered who would eventually park it in their garage. One comment celebrated the idea that someone now owned a supercar blessed by the Pope.
Mixed in with the humor came genuine appreciation for the choice to turn excess into support for people who needed it. The contrast between a V10 engine and the Pope’s usual modest transportation only made the moment more memorable.