Pope Francis raffling a car, other gifts for the poor

When Pope Francis commissioned his papal almoner Archbishop Konrad Krajewski to “use a lot of imagination” in the Vatican’s ministry to the poor, Krajewski apparently took it to heart.

First came the news the Vatican would add showers for the homeless to its public bathrooms.

Now it’s raffling off several of the gifts Francis has received in his first year-and-a-half as pope, according to posters hung in Vatican offices.

“Lotteria di beneficenza per le opere di carità del Santo Padre,” the posters said, according to Italian weekly magazine Famiglia Cristiana.

Google translates it, “Raffle to benefit the charitable works of the Holy Father.”

First prize in the raffle is a white Fiat Panda 4X4 – loaded with all the features, according to the website. Other top prizes include several bikes (including a tandem bike!), a high-definition digital video camera, watches, silver frames, fine pens, briefcases, wireless devices for iPod and iPhone, an Illy coffee maker and a Homero Ortega Panama hat, it said. Additional “consolation prizes” include umbrellas, perfumes, scarves, books and belts.

Tickets are 10 Euros (about $12.50) and available to the public. The drawing will be Jan. 8, 2015, overseen by a notary and Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello, president of the Governorate of the Vatican City State, according to Famiglia Cristiana.

Unfortunately, it appears tickets only can be purchased at locations around Vatican City.

h/t Reuters