A record sale for a good cause
In November 2025, an extraordinary camera was auctioned at the 47th Leitz Photographica Auction at the Hotel Imperial in Vienna: a specially made Leica M-A, which Pope Francis (1936–2025) had received as a gift from Leica Camera AG in 2024. Leica Camera
A unique piece with symbolic value
The Leica M-A was no ordinary model. Together with a legendary Leica Noctilux-M 1:1.2/50 mm ASPH. lens, it bore the serial number 5,000,000, a number traditionally reserved by Leica for special rarities and personalities. Both the body and the lens were individually designed: they featured a silver-chrome-white finish, special engravings such as the Keys of St. Peter on the hot shoe and the papal motto Miserando atque eligendo (‘humble but chosen’) on the top plate. In addition, the equipment bore the coat of arms of Vatican City State and other details that underlined the connection to the Pope and his mission. Leitz Auction
An unexpectedly high proceeds
Before the auction, the set had been valued at only around €60,000 to €70,000. But the bidding war led to an astonishing result: the camera was sold for €6.5 million (around US$7.5 million) – more than a hundred times the original estimate. Vox News Albania
The auction house waived its usual fees, so that the entire proceeds will go to Pope Francis' personal charity. The auction was described as one of the most exciting bidding wars in the history of the auction house. Pforzheimer Zeitung
Significance and impact
The spectacular sale shows how strongly the historical and emotional context can influence the value of an object: the camera itself is an analogue model with no particular technical rarity – but its ownership by one of the most influential religious leaders of our time, the personal dedication and its unique design gave it enormous symbolic value. Leica Camera
