Papa Leo XIV Bless Motorcycle of the “Jesus Bikers” who will be auctioned to help children in Madagascar

A group of motorcyclists dressed in black roared Wednesday in the Plaza de San Pedro to present Pope Leo XIV a personalized Cruiser motorcycle for charity works. The Pontiff met with the members of the Christian club Jesus Bikers At the end of his general audience at the Vatican, this September 3.

The club arrived in Rome on pilgrimage through the Jubileo de La Esperanza, after a three -day tour from Schaafheim, Germany. The Pope blessed and signed the BMW R 18 Blanca before sitting briefly in the seat, while the motorcyclists applauded him.

The papal motorcycle, especially designed by the Witzel company in Germany, will be auctioned in Munich on October 18. The funds will be used to help children working in Mica mines in Madagascar through Missio Austria.

The director of Missio Austria, Fr. Karl Wallner, Ocist., Explained to Ewtn News that the purpose of the pilgrimage “was not only fun and see the Pope, but also help the poorest among the poor” through the project in favor of exploited children.

Wallner commented that Pope León really liked the motorcycle. During the audience, “he told the BMW CEO that he liked to drive motorcycles. So I think we have the first motorcyclist Pope …”.

About 30 members of Jesus Bikers They also crossed the Holy Gate of the Basilica of San Pedro before participating together in the Mass of September 3.

Among those present was a Protestant motorcyclist from Berlin, known as “Rocky”, who said he joined the club after finding him on the Internet. “I was attracted to honesty and freedom,” he said. “It’s not like other motorcycle clubs, where I must try a year and make certain rituals. Here I was accepted, and a year later I received my robe. You just have to be baptized, believe in Jesus Christ and have a motorcycle. We want to pray, roll and do good.”

Claus Despewolf, in charge of receiving those who wish to join the club, expressed their satisfaction for the first part of the tour. “The weather was perfect, the roads were fine,” he told Ewtn News.

Asked who finally decides if someone can become a member of the Jesus Bikers, Dempewolf replied: “That is decided by our president and our Route Captain; our President is Jesus Christ, our Route Captain is the Holy Spirit.”

Pope Francis was an honorary member of the Jesus Bikerswhich have more than 100 members worldwide. The Argentine pontiff also received from them a white motorcycle in 2019.

In 2013, Francisco received two Harley-Davidson motorcycles and a leather jacket during a celebration in Rome for the 110th anniversary of the iconic American brand. One of those motorcycles, with the signing of the Pope, and the jacket were auctioned in 2014, raising more than $ 350,000 for a charity work in Rome.

Translated and adapted by ACI Press. Originally published in CNA.