Check out the Pope's new ride - a Lamborghini Huracan

Pope Francis blesses a Lamborghini donated to him by the luxury sports car maker, at the Vatican. Photo / AP

The frugal Pope Francis favours modest Fiats and Fords when he is driven around.

But on Wednesday he took possession of something more ostentatious - a Lamborghini supercar.

The white-painted, special edition Lamborghini Huracan, which sells for around 180,000 euros, ($309,000) matched the pope's white cassock as he blessed it at the Vatican.

He was given it by the luxury sportscar maker.

The Pope will not, however, be spotted roaring around the cobbled streets of Rome behind the wheel of the 200mph (321km/h) sports car.

The Vatican said the vehicle would be auctioned at Sotheby's, with the proceeds to go to three of the pontiff's favoured charities.

The Lamborghini Huracan usually sells for around $309,000. Photo / AP

Pope Francis speaks with CEO of Lamborghini Stefano Domenicali. Photo / AP

Pope Francis writes on the bonnet of the Lamborghini donated to him. Photo / AP

They include a fund to rebuild homes and churches for Christians chased out of Iraq by Islamic State terrorists.

The rebuilding efforts will be focused on the Nineveh Plains, north-east of Mosul, where Christians were forced to flee years of fighting.

The aim is to allow Christians who were forced to leave the region "to finally return to their roots and recover their dignity," the Holy See said.

Of the two other charities that will benefit from the sale, one helps migrant women who are trafficked and forced into prostitution and another provides medical aid in Africa.