Pope Leo XIV received a unique gift from a Polish breeder: a 12-year-old white purebred Arabian horse named “Proton.” The gift, presented by Andrzej Michalski of the Michalski Stud Farm, brought visible joy to the pope, who has a history of horseback riding from his missionary work in Peru. Proton, with a distinguished pedigree linking American, Qatari, and Jordanian bloodlines, was inspired by a photo of the pope on horseback.

Michalski plans to auction the horse, with proceeds going to help the poor, continuing the tradition of popes receiving gifts that are often sold for charitable causes. This follows a pattern seen during Pope Francis’s pontificate, who received unusual gifts such as donkeys and a Vatican-colored Lamborghini.