Vatican City, Jun 8, 2020 / 06:30 am America/Denver (CNA).
Pope Francis has teamed up with Olympic athletes for a charity auction this month to support hospitals in the regions of Italy hardest hit by the coronavirus.
Three-time world champion cyclist Peter Sagan donated a custom racing bike with the Vatican crest and colors for the pope’s fundraiser, and 2018 Olympic gold medalist Sofia Goggia autographed ski racing boots.
Other athletes, such as Italian runner and record holder Filippo Tortu, are offering the opportunity for a day of training, followed by dinner. The Olympic rowing duo Giuseppe and Carmine Abbagnale are auctioning off a dinner for two together with them near Sorrento.
All sports memorabilia and experiences are being auctioned off online in the “We Run Together” collection at the Charity Stars website starting June 8. Earlier auctions on the Charity Stars site have raised more than $2.2 million to aid the fight against COVID-19.
Online bidding for current items will run through June 18 with other Vatican Athletics celebrity sports auctions scheduled to take place throughout the summer. All participants in the auction will be automatically entered to win a Vatican jersey signed by Pope Francis.