January 30, 2016
A Fiat used by Pope Francis during his September visit to Philadelphia has been sold after going for $82,000 at an auction Friday night.
NBC Philadelphia reports that Michael Chapman, who owns Chapman Ford in Northeast Philadelphia, placed the winning bid.
The car is usually priced around $19,495, according to NBC. It was one of two Fiat 500Ls that Francis rode around in during his stop in Philly.
Proceeds from the auctioned car will go towards a number of area charities. The car was sold during a gala that kicked off the Philadelphia Auto Show, which is being held at the Convention Center over the course of the weekend.
The two cars were gifted to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia from Chrysler-Fiat for the pope's visit.
Archdiocese spokesperson Ken Gavin said before the car was sold that it was a "piece of history" and that it would be "difficult" to put a price tag on it.
However, with the money from the sale going towards those in need, Donna Farrell of the World Meeting of Families said it was what Pope Francis would have wanted.
