American car manufacturer Ford has secretly built Pope Leo XIV a custom SUV, decked with pontiff plates that read “DA POPE” AND “LEO XIV.”
Dozens of employees at Ford’s Chicago Assembly plant, in the pope’s hometown, worked on a custom 2026 Ford Exploder Platinum hybrid, which CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, delivered to the Vatican on February 28.
The sleek black Explorer SUV was fitted with a custom hybrid transmission, as well as an antenna that is compatible with the European broadcast radio system, Ford said in a press release. The vehicle also features plenty of tributes to the Pope’s American roots - including Chicago flags on seat tags and the Windy City’s skyline etched into the center console.
“He noticed and appreciated all the personal touches,” Farley said. “We even took a quick drive, and I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride.”
Engravings of the Chicago skyline and St. Peter’s Basilica adorn the car’s scruff plates, “representing Leo XIV’s journey to the Vatican,” Ford said in its release.
The CEO also brought a photo of the Chicago team and handwritten notes from some of the workers who helped bring the custom car to life. In return, the Pope blessed several rosaries for Farley to bring back to his staff.
Jennifer Barilovich, an electrical systems engineer who worked on the car, was initially told the custom SUV was for a “VIP.” She was ecstatic after learning who the vehicle would be for.
“As soon as I could, I told my family,” she said. “I come from a huge Catholic family, so everyone was thrilled and just thought it was the coolest project.”
“I hope my letter gave the Pope a sense of how proud I am,” she added. “This is the highlight of my professional life so far.”
The Farleys paid for and donated the vehicle to the Pope, according to the Detroit Free Press.
The Ford CEO, a devout Catholic with a long history of volunteering at the Pope Francis Center in Detroit, felt inclined to do something nice for Pope Leo, according to the report.
"I reached out to the Vatican a few months ago, and that’s how this began," Farley told the newspaper. "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, which has been in continuous operation for more than a century."
Farley added: “What stays with me is the feeling of gratitude and joy we experienced meeting him and sharing this small gesture. (It's) one that reflects the pride and care of the Ford team back home in Chicago.”
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