Harley-Davidson bikers flock to St Peter's Square for Pope's blessing

Bikers had descended upon the Italian capital from around the world to attend concerts and parades marking the manufacturer’s 110th anniversary

Leather clad cyclists joined nuns, tourists and Catholic pilgrims to receive a blessing from Pope Francis in Rome on Sunday.

The bikers parked their vehicles on the Via della Conciliazione parking lot leading to the Vatican and waited for the Pope to pass by and bless them.

The Harley Davidson bikers had descended upon the Italian capital from around the world to attend concerts and parades marking the manufacturer’s 110th anniversary.

On Wednesday, the Pope accepted two Harley Davidson motorbikes for the Vatican police force and a jacket from the 35,000 Harley Davidson fans gathered in the city.

The Pope made the sign of the cross to the bikers whilst reciting the ‘Our Father’ prayer as he was escorted down the boulevard leading to St Paul’s Square before the mass began.

The thundering motorbikes reportedly almost drowned out the sermon.

Video: Pope blesses bikers