A
tiny black Fiat 500L that carried Pope Francis through Philadelphia during his
historic first visit to the United States has been sold for $US82,000 ($115,800)
at an auction.
The
auction drew more than 19 bidders and lasted just 11 minutes. Participants
competed to take home the car, described as "Pope Francis' Philly
Fiat" both remotely and in-person at the Philadelphia Auto Show, church
and auction officials said.
The
winning bid of $US82,000 was put forward by Michael and Kate Chapman of Chapman
Auto Stores and the money will benefit the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of
Philadelphia, church officials said.
The
79-year-old pontiff chose the Fiat as a symbol of his concern for the
environment and desire to put aside some of the rich trappings long associated
with his office.
A
new Fiat 500L starts at a list price of about $US19,000, according to the
company's website.
The
Fiat was one of six used during the Argentina-born Pontiff's visit to
Washington, New York and Philadelphia. He also used a white Jeep with open
sides known as a "Popemobile" that allowed Francis to kiss babies as
he passed.
Thousands
of Americans, both followers of the Catholic religion and the curious, packed
the streets of the three cities during Francis' September visit, during which
he also addressed the United Nations and met with prisoners and homeless people
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