Markus Flasch sums it up: “What initially sounded more like a crazy idea has developed into a great charity campaign. I am happy that we at BMW Motorrad can support aid projects for children in Madagascar with our R18 Transcontinental. I would also like to thank Pope Leo XIV for taking the time to support this project.”
Review – Key Features – Features & Benefits – Specifications
2026 BMW R18 Transcontinental Pope Leo XIV Edition: PEACE BE WITH YOU ALL!
Introducing the 2026 BMW R18 Transcontinental Pope Leo XIV Edition…
On 3 September 2025, a specially modified BMW R 18 Transcontinental was presented to Pope Leo XIV. for his blessing and signature during a celebratory event at the Vatican. This R 18 Transcontinental bearing the Pope’s signature will be auctioned by Missio Austria via Sotheby’s in October 2025, with the proceeds going to children’s aid projects in Madagascar.
2026 BMW R18 Transcontinental Pope Leo XIV Edition Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features
BMW Motorrad is supporting an extraordinary charity campaign.
This unique R 18 Transcontinental will be on display at BMW Welt in Munich from 15 September to 7 October 2025, until the auction.
2026 BMW R18 Transcontinental Pope Leo XIV Edition Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits
The R 18 Transcontinental was donated by BMW Motorrad Deutschland and refined by BMW Motorrad dealer Witzel. Witzel and Thomas Draxler, founder of JESUS-BIKER®, initiated the idea to create an absolutely unique bike for the pope for a good cause. It was painted mother-of-pearl white and the coat of arms of the Vatican was affixed to it, among other modifications.
The unique motorcycle began its journey on 31 August 2025 with a ‘Peace Ride’ from Motorrad Witzel in Sennfeld to Rome, passing through Schaafheim, Altötting and Verona and accompanied by church services. Representatives of JESUS-BIKER®, BMW Motorrad and BMW Witzel joined the journey, mainly riding BMW R 18 motorcycles provided by BMW Motorrad Germany.
On Wednesday 3 September 2025, Markus Flasch, the CEO of BMW Motorrad and Michael Sommer, head of BMW Motorrad Germany, personally presented the motorcycle to the Pope for blessing and signing, after the general audience at the Vatican.
Markus Flasch sums it up: “What initially sounded more like a crazy idea has developed into a great charity campaign. I am happy that we at BMW Motorrad can support aid projects for children in Madagascar with our R18 Transcontinental. I would also like to thank Pope Leo XIV for taking the time to support this project.”
2026 BMW R18 Transcontinental Pope Leo XIV Edition – Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: from $ NA USD
Canada MSRP Price: from $ NA CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: from £ NA GBP (total selling price)
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2026 BMW R18 Transcontinental Pope Leo XIV Edition – Totalmotorcycle.com Canada Specifications/Technical Details
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2026 BMW R18 Transcontinental Pope Leo XIV Edition – Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
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Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).
Posted on September 9, 2025 by Michael Le Pard
