Wow Ford Chicago Secretly Built a Custom SUV for Pope Leo XIV Delivered to the Vatican by its Catholic CEO Jim Farley



Ford’s Custom "Popemobile": The Secret 2026 Explorer Hybrid

In late 2025, a select team at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant was tasked with a "VIP" project: a one-of-a-kind 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum AWD. While the Platinum trim is typically gas-only, this requested model featured a hybrid powertrain—specifically the one used in Police Interceptor SUVs.

The mystery recipient was recently revealed to be Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native. On February 28, 2026, Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, personally delivered the vehicle to Vatican City.

A Design Rooted in Chicago

The SUV was customized with several "Easter eggs" honoring the Pope’s hometown and the workers who built it:

  • The Exterior: All-black paint with a custom hybrid configuration.

  • The Interior: Hand-stitched seats featuring the Chicago skyline and tags of the city flag.

  • The Details: Door sills etched with the Chicago skyline on one side and St. Peter’s Basilica on the other.

  • The "Farley" Connection: In a nod to a classic Saturday Night Live sketch featuring the CEO's late cousin, Chris Farley, the team included a "Da pope" sign and empty pizza boxes from Aurelio’s, a South Side favorite.

Reflections from the Team

The project was deeply personal for the Chicago Assembly Plant employees, many of whom share the Pope’s Catholic faith or local roots.

“After 25 years here, moments like this remind you why the work matters," said Angie Ervin, a plant auditor. "Knowing that something we built with our own hands could be driven by someone like the pope — it’s exciting, and it makes me proud to be part of this team at Chicago Assembly.”

Adolphus Harper, a pre-delivery specialist, realized he had a direct connection to the Pontiff (formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost):

"I graduated from Saint Rita in 1986, so knowing that the pope, who once taught me, is now driving something I helped assemble — it’s unbelievable," Harper said.

Jennifer Barilovich, the lead electrical engineer, included a personal letter in the vehicle:

"I hope my letter gave the pope a sense of how proud I am. This is the highlight of my professional life so far," Barilovich said.

A Personal Gift from the Farleys

Though the vehicle was built by Ford, it was a personal donation paid for by Jim and Lia Farley. The CEO, a devoted Catholic who frequently volunteers at the Pope Francis Center in Detroit, initiated the idea to honor the Pope's Chicago heritage.

"I reached out to the Vatican a few months ago, and that’s how this began," Farley wrote in an email. "Pope Leo XIV has deep roots on Chicago’s South Side — just like Ford. And we thought it would be especially fitting for him to drive an Explorer built at our Chicago Assembly Plant."

After presenting the keys and taking a brief drive through the Vatican, Farley noted the Pope's reaction to the custom SUV:

"I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride. But more than anything, what stays with me is the feeling of gratitude and joy we experienced meeting him and sharing this small gesture."

Sources: https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/us/en/articles/2026/pope-leo-xiv-custom-ford-explorer 

https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/ford/2026/03/06/secret-vehicle-ford-workers-built-for-pope-leo/88988033007/

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