HARLEY GETS THE PAPAL BLESSING

Written by Mike Ryan, Senior Writer

October 8, 2012 10:25 AM AEDT

Something you thought you'd never see mentioned in the same sentence is 'Pope Benedict XVI' and 'Harley-Davidson motorcycles'. Well, believe it or not, the head of the Roman Catholic Church and the American motorcycle manufacturer did get together on October 3rd, with the Pope giving his blessing to a pair of special Harley-Davidson fuel tanks.

The meeting came ahead of a planned celebration in Rome next June to mark the 110th Anniversary of Harley-Davidson. While the milestone will be marked around the world, Rome, is one of only two locations set for major celebrations to mark Harley's 110th birthday.

The "blessing of the tanks" in Vatican City on October 3rd was attended by Willie G. Davidson, grandson of one of Harley-Davidson's founders, and his son, as well as Bill Davidson, Vice President of the Harley-Davidson Museum. The blessing by Pope Benedict XVI launched the countdown to Harley-Davidson's 110th Anniversary event in Rome on June 13-16, 2013.

As well as being blessed, the two commemorative motorcycle fuel tanks were signed by Pope Benedict, Willie G. and Bill, and mounted on two Harleys - one will return to the company's hometown of Milwaukee for display at the Harley-Davidson Museum, while the other will be auctioned to support the Good Samaritan Foundation.

Image: Harley-Davidson