Catholic Priest Asks Pope Francis to Sign Bourbon Bottles for Charity
Catholic priest Jim Sichko from Lexington, Kentucky, is known for his tradition of bringing gifts, particularly bourbon, whenever he visits the Vatican. During a recent trip in May, Sichko presented Pope Francis with two bottles of bourbon but with a unique request – he asked the religious leader to autograph the spirits and then give them back. The purpose was to auction off the signed bottles for charity, as reported by the Catholic News Agency’s Daniel Payne. Pope Francis humorously asked, “Which one is mine?” before signing the bottles.
The signed bottles will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s in New York on December 7. Each bottle is expected to fetch between $1,000 and $10,000, with the value attributed to Pope Francis’ name and signature, according to Zev Glesta, assistant vice president and whiskey specialist at Sotheby’s. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to various nonprofits, including an animal shelter and the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic, which assists immigrants in Kentucky. These causes were chosen by Sichko due to their alignment with Pope Francis’ values of compassion and advocacy for migrants.
Both bottles contain bourbon from Willett Distillery in Bardstown, Kentucky, selected by Sichko as barrel picks. The first bottle commemorates Pope Francis’ tenth anniversary as pope, featuring the papal Coat of Arms and aged for ten years. The second bottle honors the 2025 Jubilee, a period where Catholics can seek forgiveness for sins, also aged for ten years and adorned with the official jubilee sticker.
Sichko, appointed as a papal missionary of mercy by Pope Francis in 2016, is committed to spreading hope and kindness through acts of compassion. His charitable endeavors extend beyond the bourbon auction, including donating masks during the pandemic, supporting flood relief efforts, assisting laid-off miners, and making significant contributions to food pantries. Sichko emphasizes the importance of kindness, stating that “kindness costs nothing” and encourages others to embrace acts of generosity.
The bourbon auction is just one of Sichko’s many initiatives to make a positive impact, showcasing his dedication to serving others in need. Through his actions, Sichko embodies Pope Francis’ message of compassion and empathy, demonstrating the power of goodwill and selflessness.
