In the car world, Pope Francis is most famous for abandoning the popemobile to drive himself around in various small hatchbacks. Perhaps thinking he was an automobile enthusiast, Lamborghini gifted him a white Huracán RWD Coupe with gold detailing to match his catholic dressings on Wednesday, just outside the Vatican hotel where he lives.
Unfortunately, while he blessed the crap out of the car, he doesn’t want to keep it. Instead, the church will auction it off to fund the Nineveh Plains Reconstruction Project — a group primarily focused on helping women who were victims of trafficking at the hands of ISIS.
While we wish they would have orchestrated a photo shoot where His Holiness performs a burnout, turning to the camera to look over a pair of wraparound sunglasses whilst uttering “Good God,” we understand he’s supposed to remain reverent — or whatever. It just seemed like a missed opportunity and could have upped the resale value of the car the pontiff laid rubber with. Besides, it would have been for a good cause.
However, good taste prevailed and the Lamborghini will be sold with Francis’ blessing (and autograph) via Sotheby’s auction house. With a starting MSRP around $200,000, we would expect the ultra-rare papal custom to sell for substantially more. Interestingly, the Catholic News Agency said it was an all-wheel drive model, while Lamborghini indicated it was rear-drive. Based on our tire-shredding fantasy, we’re more inclined to believe the automaker.
A portion of the funds raised from the auction will also go toward supporting missionary work in Africa. But the bulk will be used on rebuilding homes, churches, and public buildings in Iraq that were devastated during three years of fighting by the Islamic State group. The Vatican said the purpose is to allow Christians who were forced to flee Nineveh “to finally return to their roots and recover their dignity.”
This isn’t the first time Pope Francis has auctioned off a used vehicle. In 2014, he sold a Harley-Davidson motorcycle to aid a homeless shelter in Rome, and it has been a longstanding practice for popes to sell popemobiles for charitable causes.
Lamborghini definitely knew that this car would change hands quickly. The presentation ceremony was attended by Stefano Domenicali, chairman and chief executive officer of Automobili Lamborghini, some of the company’s management board, and two technicians who built the special edition Huracán. Sotheby’s said the car will be auctioned on May 12th, 2018 — which should give you just enough time to get your finances in order.
[Images: Lamborghini]
This definitely will not be cheap when his old Golf went for some serious money.
That was the former pope’s Golf
Will he leave some indulgences in the glove box?
Just asking for a friend.
Fresh indulgences are up for auction after the Lambo.
And Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple. His anger led him to do burnouts in the Huracan his father had left him. Mary Magdalene pleaded for him to slow down and just go on a drive in the countryside. As the car caught fire, he summoned a convoy of donkeys. His burnout with donkeys did not go well.
Could have made a real a$$ of himself in that situation!
What would his triumphant entry into Jerusalem have been like with this vehicle? “Go to the exotic car dealer at the entrance to the city and say ‘the Lord needs this!’”
Might have been an interesting getaway from Gethsemane, anyways!
(Of course, Pilate may have had a Chiron!)
Nono, Pontius drove a Pilot.
This Lutheran would “indulge” in this..
..if I had $250k lying around in my couch cushions instead! ::Sigh!::
Guess I’ll upgrade to the iPhone X in a few months instead!
If Dodge gives him a Demon, can he do an exorcism on it?
Nothing. He was quite a fan of walking and I doubt this would change.
EDIT: I liked the previous comment better Mike.
The thought of the Pope doing a smoky burnout in a Demon was irresistible.
I’d love to see the Pope in a Demon. Now that would be a photo op!
“house women”
What are “house women” exactly? Could this just be a bad translation or some sort of Islamic specific term? If houses are supposed to come a woman now I’ll go buy another one.
While in ‘Nam, the aircrew I belonged to had three house women for our hootch.
They were old, wrinkled, butt-ugly, smelled bad, and were missing teeth but they did our laundry, made our beds, cleaned our hootch, did a lot of cooking/grilling for us. They went home to their village every night
While TDY in Nha Trang I saw the other variety of house women some crews had living with them on the economy (not on the base).
Those house women were very young, very pretty, smelled like a New Orleans Bordello, and did no housecleaning, although they must have been outstanding plumbers since those guys had their pipes cleaned nightly.
wow. the disrespect is strong with this one. they were slaving over you, and that’s all you could muster to describe them?
Ok, so they are effectively what Newspeak calls “house keeper”. Thanks.
I read some time ago during the war the more senior officers had “field wives” who essentially acted as a wife on the front when the actual wife was unavailable. I found this to be an interesting concept.
Put a “to” before “house”.
This shouldn’t be that hard.
English is open for interpretation, and there are many ways of conveying the same thought. In this case, a “to” could have been offered by the writer. Or not. Thanks for the snark though, have a nice night.
I read it as:
To house one that is houseless.
Ah, excellent interpretation.
I’m watching too much “Dancing with the Stars” with the lady of my house. This week a Tango was described as “a dance a man does with his wife” while the Argentine Tango was described as “a dance a man does with his mistress.”
Did someone at least take him for a spin in it first? I get that the Pope can’t keep if but who would begrudge the guy a quick drive?
A “Holy Shit” for the camera would also work
I’m sure that “God speed” is faster than “Lambo Speed”.
Nice to see the funds going to good use.
*Sees gold accents*
*Informs Dubai immediately.*
I’d love to see how he signed the hood of that car…
“Rock on dudes!
—Frankie”
Should have brought back the Countach nameplate
Not wanting to support or endorse any endeavors of the RC church or it’s pope, especially “missionary work,” i’ll make a donation to Planned Parenthood instead.
I am just relieved they didn’t give him a Diablo…
Though it would have been amusing.
Same as the Demon comments, I suppose! ;-)
You’d think he’d take it out on the road for one drive, press following and trying to keep up. I would think it would bring more if it could be said it was “actually driven by the Pope.”
“while he blessed the crap out of the car,”
Does this mean the car qualifies for a lower insurance rate?
A pope “Demon-mobile” would only make sense if, it was painted in garish “Bright Red”, trimmed in gold, was equipped with a Hellfire engine, and was suitably blessed by the pope himself. Autographed even.
A pope “Demon-mobile” would only make sense if, it was painted in garish “Bright Red”, trimmed in gold, was equipped with a Hellfire engine, and was suitably blessed by the pope himself. Autographed even.
Lamborghini’s been considering this for years but shelved the idea during the Diablo era.
I say gift Pope an Alfa Romeo made on a Monday. If its still running without any major maintenance or dealer visits after a couple thousand miles, we’ll know that indeed the Pope enjoys divine favor of the Lord Almighty.
I always saw him as more of a Gumpert Apollo man anyway. Not sure what that means, but I like typing Gumpert Apollo.