Holy! Pope Francis’ Leica sells for nearly 100 times its estimate

A unique Leica M-A rangefinder and matching Noctilux-M 1:1.2/50mm ASPH lens once owned by the late Pope Francis has sold at auction for €6.5 million (about $11.5 million), far exceeding its €60,000 to €70,000 estimate.

The sale took place over the weekend and ranks among the highest charitable results achieved for a Leica camera.

The camera and lens were gifted to Pope Francis by Leica Camera AG in 2024 in recognition of his support for social and humanitarian causes.

Pope Francis, born in Argentina, died in March 2025 at the age of 88 and was succeeded by Pope Leo.

Both pieces carry the serial number 5,000,000, a milestone typically reserved for special editions presented to notable public figures. “It has long been tradition at Leica to reserve such milestone serial numbers for exceptional pieces,” said Alexander Sedlak, Managing Director of Leica Camera Classics and Leitz Photographica Auction.

Advance bids had already pushed the lot above its estimate before live bidding began, and strong competition continued through to the final hammer price.

Sedlak described the sale as one of the auction house’s most competitive contests.

The silver chrome M-A features a white covering and white-painted base plate, back doors and controls. Papal engravings include the Keys of Peter on the flash cover and Pope Francis’ motto, Miserando atque eligendo (“lowly but chosen”), on the back of the top plate.

The auction house waived its usual buyer’s premium, and the full €6.5 million will be donated to Pope Francis’ personal charity organisation.