NEW YORK, April 2 — A four-door hatchback Pope Francis used while visiting New York in September has fetched US$300,000 (RM1.167 million) at auction, said the website that held the sale.

The black Fiat 500 Lounge was one of two such mini Popemobiles that ferried the pontiff around the Big Apple.

At more than 12 times its base price, it was snapped up by millionaire businessman Miles Nadal, who already owns more than 130 cars and motorbikes, according to the Charitybuzz auction website.  

Proceeds will go to Catholic schools and charities in the New York diocese, as well as two international agencies: Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.

“In a couple of occasions, (Pope Francis) was in the Popemobile. For the rest of his time, when he was not in the Popemobile, this is how he travelled around in the motorcade,” New York Archdiocese spokesman Joseph Zwilling told AFP earlier this week.

The second Fiat will also be used to raise money for charitable causes, although plans have not been set, he said.

Charitybuzz had valued the practically new vehicle, featuring a fixed glass roof and premium seats, at US$82,000.

That's how much a Fiat used by the Pope in Philadelphia — another stop on his September 22-27 US trip — was sold for at a gala in late January.

The Fiat 500 Lounge base price is US$24,695, Charitybuzz said. 

The auction began March 17, with the first bid coming in at US$10,500. On Wednesday, the price-tag had jumped to US$195,000 before hitting US$300,000 Thursday. — AFP