Pope blesses motorcycle for mine children: bid starts at 100,000 euros!

Pope blesses motorcycle for mine children: bid starts at 100,000 euros!

On September 4, 2025, a very special event was celebrated in the Vatican: Pope Leo XIV blessed a white BMW R18 motorcycle, which will be sold at auction for a good cause. The campaign was initiated by the Pontifical Mission Society in Vienna to help children in Madagascar who work under difficult conditions in mica mines. The motorcycle will be auctioned on October 18th through Sotheby's auction house, and the proceeds will go towards building a school for these children, who often suffer in miserable working conditions.

The German motorcycle group “Jesus Bikers” brought the motorcycle to the audience in Rome and sent a “Peace Ride” that led from Schaafheim via Altötting and Verona to Rome. During this ride, messages of peace were collected from people along the route. During the ceremonial blessing, the Pope also received a matching helmet and a white biker robe as a gift from the “Jesus Bikers”.

Motorcycle for a good cause

The motorcycle that Pope Leo XIV blessed in St. Peter's Square is not only a symbol of solidarity, but also a sign of faith and peace. It was specially remodeled and decorated in an elegant papal white that borrows from the Popemobile. After the blessing, the motorcycle is taken to Munich to receive a special paint job that protects the Pope's signature. Such an adjustment is necessary because the high auction price depends on the notorious Pope's signature, as has been the case with similar campaigns in the past.

What exactly is the problem in Madagascar? Around 10,000 children are actively working in the mica mines there. Mica, also known as mica, is a versatile mineral found in many everyday products such as smartphones, paints and even razors. The nearly 20,000 people who work in these mines struggle in extreme conditions. The children often have to dig holes in the mines, weigh and transport material, which leads to considerable physical strain. The pay is meager – between 25 cents and 1 euro per day, which is often only enough for a single meal.

A look at the Mica mines

The dilemma is exacerbated by the increasing demand for mica in the global industry. Even large companies like Philips and Chanel have joined the so-called Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) to create better working conditions. However, Karel Kok from Terre des Hommes vehemently calls for urgent steps to be taken in Madagascar to end child labor and improve conditions. The proceeds from the motorcycle auction could help change the situation of children and give them access to education, which, according to Missio Austria, is the key to a better future.

In summary, this campaign not only shows how creativity and commitment can make a difference, but it also sheds light on the bitter truth behind the products we use every day. The blessed motorcycle represents not just an auction price, but the hope for change in Madagascar.