Ford Presents Chicago-built Custom Explorer SUV To Chicago-born Pope Leo

Ford CEO and wife presents Chicago-built Custom Explorer SUV to Chicago-born Pope Leo.

Its design details boast Chicago-to-Vatican pride, including seat tags with Chicago flag, engravings of St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Ford has gifted Pope Leo XIV a one-of-a-kind Explorer, which the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City plans to use to cross the Vatican grounds.

The custom Explorer is a gift from Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, who were on hand to personally deliver the unique SUV to Pope Leo XIV during a private audience at the Vatican on Feb. 28.

“He noticed and appreciated all the personal touches,” Farley said of the Pontiff’s reaction. “We even took a quick drive, and I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride.”

Like other Explorers for the North American market, the Pontiff’s ride was assembled at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, which was roughly 5 miles away from where Leo XIV himself was raised.

“As soon as I could, I told my family,” Jennifer Barilovich, who was assigned to work on a custom 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum hybrid, recalled.

“I come from a huge Catholic family, so everyone was thrilled and just thought it was the coolest project.”

On the inside, design details boast Chicago-to-Vatican pride, including seat tags with the Chicago flag and and engravings of the skyline and St. Peter’s Basilica on the scuff plates near the bottom of the SUV’s doors.

The Explorer was customized with a 3.3L V6 hybrid powertrain and 10-speed hybrid transmission. It is fitted with vanity license plates that read “DA POPE” and “LEO XIV.”

The custom Ford Explorer is the second car that Pope Leo has received as a gift since the pontiff’s inaugural mass in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday May 18th 2025. Last December, the BMW Group also handed over a brand new iX xDrive60 to Pope Leo XIV.

• See Also : BMW Gifts Pope Leo XIV All-electric iX SUV