Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo, vice president Piero Ferrari and a selected delegation of the company’s representatives have held a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI.

At the meeting, Montezemolo presented the Pope with a cheque for €950,000 (£643,796) raised by the sale of the 400th “Enzo”, a car specially made to be auctioned for charity.

In a previous papal audience, which took place on January 17, a large group of Ferrari’s employees and partners – including F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello – met the late Pope John Paul II.

He was presented with Michael Schumacher’s F2004 steering wheel, with the following dedication: “The Formula 1 World Champion’s steering wheel to His Holiness Benedict XVI, Christianity’s driver”.