Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025 at the age of 88, will not only be remembered for his humility and commitment to those most in need, but also for his unexpected connection to the world of motor racing.
During his pontificate, he established significant ties with motorsports figures and events, leaving an indelible mark in this field.
Blessing and tribute
In April 2018, before the first Rome ePrix, Jorge Mario Bergoglio blessed a Formula E single-seater at the Vatican.
This gesture symbolized Pope Francis’ support for sustainable technologies and care for the environment.
These are values promoted by the electric category of motorsport.
Estableció lazos significativos con figuras y eventos del deporte motor
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In 2019, the Pontiff received from the hands of Bianca Senna, niece of the legendary Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna, a bronze sculpture and an original helmet of the three-time Formula 1 champion.
These gifts were given in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the pilot’s death and are now part of the Vatican Museum’s collection.
Meeting with Giovinazzi
Buzzy
In February 2020, Italian Formula 1 driver Antonio Giovinazzi was received by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
During the audience, Giovinazzi presented his helmet to the Pontiff, who stressed the importance of sport as a tool to inspire and educate youth.
On the other hand, in November 2017, Lamborghini presented Pope Francis with a customized Huracán model in the Vatican colors.
True to his austere style, the Pope decided to auction the vehicle, raising 715,000 euros that went to charity, including the reconstruction of Christian communities in Iraq.
Pope Francis’ legacy transcends the traditional boundaries of the papacy, showing that faith and passion for sport, in this case motor racing, can coexist and promote universal values such as solidarity and respect for the environment.
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