Pope Francis's Camera Sold for a Staggering 6.5 Million Euros

(Patria) - The camera of the late Pope Francis was sold at auction in Vienna on Saturday for 6.5 million euros, after an unexpected bidding war.

The Leica M-A camera exceeded its expected value a hundredfold, according to the spokesperson for the 47th edition of the Leitz Photographica Auction.

In accordance with the wishes of the former head of the Catholic Church, who passed away in April this year, the money will be directed to humanitarian purposes. The auction house also waived its commission.

Leica Camera AG gifted the camera to Francis in 2024, marking him and his lenses with the serial number 5000000.

"It has always been a tradition at Leica to reserve such distinctive, round serial numbers for special cameras, which are often gifted to well-known public figures," said Alexander Sedlak, CEO of Leica Camera Classics and the Leitz Photographica Auction.

The buyer's name remained unknown. According to reports, two individuals competed for the camera via telephone.

The auction, which lasted approximately ten minutes, "was certainly one of the most exciting bidding wars in the history of this auction house and fully worthy of this extraordinary item," said Sedlak.