Pope Francis is raffling off gifts that have been given to him — including a car — to raise money for the poor. The Vatican City State administration put up posters this week advertising the raffle and the prizes that are up for grabs. The posters say that the money raised will be used for "the works of charity of the Holy Father."
In addition to a new Fiat Panda 4x4 (valued at about $20,000), the other prizes include three bicycles, one tandem bicycle, a video camera, an espresso coffee machine, a mobile wireless devices for iPod or iPhone, a silver pen, a silver picture frame, a briefcase, and a Panama hat. There are also a series of unspecified "consolation prizes." Tickets are 10 euro apiece ($13) and can be bought at the Vatican post office, pharmacy, and other public venues around the Holy See. The winners will be announced on Jan. 8.
Pope Francis has quietly given away many of the papal gifts he has received since becoming pontiff to various charities, to be used or sold to raise money the organization.
This is what one of the raffle tickets looks like:
