Sold for $82,000! 'Pope Francis' Philly FIAT' Auctioned Off
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The black Fiat Pope Francis used to travel the streets of Philadelphia during his September visit has sold at auction.
More than 19 bidders from across the United States competed for the "Pope Francis' Philly FIAT."
Michael and Kate Chapman of Chapman Auto secured the vehicle, with a winning bid of $82,000 in the auction that lasted just 11 minutes.
But if you didn't get a chance to see it up close, don't worry.
The Philadelphia Archdiocese says there were actually two of them.
The other one is on display at the Philadelphia Auto Show in the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre says 50 percent of the auction proceeds will go to Catholic Charities.
"From family service centers to adoption service centers to health care services, housing, hunger and homeless services," said Auxiliary Bishop McIntyre.
The balance will be divided among Mercy Hospice, Casa Del Carmen, and four special education schools run by the archdiocese.
Donna Farrell is executive director for the World Meeting of Families, Philadelphia, the event that spurred the pope's visit.
"It's exactly what Pope Francis would have wanted us to do," said Farrell.
This article was originally written by Mark Abrams for CBSPhiladelphia.com.
