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Pope holds audience with Ferrari

Or was that the other way round? His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI recently held a private audience with Ferrari's President Luca di Montezemolo, Vice President Piero Ferrari and a selected delegation of the company's representatives. At the meeting, President Montezemolo presented the Holy Father with a cheque for Euro 950,000 raised by the sale of the 400th and final Ferrari Enzo, a car specially built to be auctioned for charity.

In a previous papal audience, which took place on January 17th, a large group of Ferrari's employees and partners - including F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello - met the late Pope John Paul II. Luca di Montezemolo offered to donate the auction proceedings of this extraordinary vehicle for humanitarian purposes. Sold by Sotheby's, the final Enzo reached the significant sum of €950,000 (AUD$1.5M), more than 50 per cent above its list price.

His Holiness particularly enjoyed a special gift: Michael Schumacher's F2004 steering wheel, with the following dedication: "The Formula 1 World Champion's steering wheel to His Holiness Benedict XVI, Christianity's driver".

© italiancar.com.au 15/12/05