Pope Francis has blessed thousands of
Harley-Davidsons and their riders as the American motorcycle
manufacturer celebrated its 110th anniversary with a loud parade and
plenty of leather in the Vatican.
Thundering Harley engines nearly drowned out the recitation of
the "Our Father" prayer in Latin that accompanied Francis as he greeted
the crowd before Mass.
In St Peter's Square, bikers in their trademark leather Harley vests sat alongside nuns and tens of thousands of Catholics taking part in an unrelated, two-day pro-life rally, the centerpiece of which was Francis' Mass.
Francis addressed them both after Mass, giving a blessing to the "numerous participants" of the Harley rally.
Tens of thousands of Harley owners from around the world descended on Rome for the anniversary.