Ford Motor Company has presented Pope Leo XIV with a specially designed 2026 Explorer Platinum hybrid SUV, marking a unique intersection of automotive craftsmanship and papal tradition. Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife Lia delivered the custom vehicle to the pontiff during a private Vatican audience on February 28, 2026. The gift carries special significance, as the SUV was assembled at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, located just five miles from Pope Leo XIV’s childhood home in Dolton, Illinois.
The one-of-a-kind Explorer features numerous personalized touches that honor both the Pope’s Chicago roots and his position as leader of the Catholic Church. Dozens of Ford employees collaborated on the project, which remained a closely guarded secret until its unveiling at the Vatican. The custom-built vehicle includes Chicago-themed details alongside special Vatican tributes, creating a distinctive popemobile for the modern era.
This gift continues a long tradition of automakers creating specialized vehicles for papal use, though Ford’s approach brings fresh perspective to the concept. The vehicle represents a meeting point between cutting-edge hybrid technology and the ceremonial needs of the papacy, while celebrating the unique connection between the Pope’s Chicago upbringing and Ford’s manufacturing presence in the city.
Ford’s One-Off Explorer for Pope Leo XIV
Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife Lia presented a specially built 2026 Explorer hybrid to Pope Leo XIV during a private Vatican audience on February 28, incorporating design elements that honor both the pontiff’s Chicago roots and his position at the Vatican.
Background on Pope Leo XIV and the Ford Connection
Pope Leo XIV has deep connections to Chicago’s South Side, the same area where Ford has maintained a manufacturing presence for decades. Ford CEO Jim Farley gifted the custom Explorer to recognize this shared Chicago heritage.
The Farleys, who are Catholic themselves, personally commissioned the project as a gift to the pontiff. Jim Farley delivered the vehicle to Rome and even took a ride with Pope Leo XIV in the one-off SUV shortly after the presentation.
This wasn’t Ford’s first papal vehicle project. The automaker created a one-off Bronco in 2021 to support the Pope Francis Center in Detroit, establishing a tradition of supporting Catholic leadership.
Customization and Chicago-Inspired Design Elements
The custom Explorer built at Ford’s Chicago plant features numerous design touches celebrating the city. The interior includes Chicago skyline stitching in the seats, while city flags adorn various parts of the vehicle.
License plates reading “DA POPE” and “LEO XIV” add a personalized touch to the 2026 Explorer Platinum. Dozens of Ford employees collaborated on the secret build, working together to create details that honor both Chicago and the Vatican.
The vehicle balances papal dignity with Chicago pride, incorporating symbols meaningful to Pope Leo XIV’s background while maintaining the sophistication expected of a papal vehicle.
Hybrid Powertrain and Technical Highlights
The special Explorer uses a police-grade hybrid engine, combining performance capabilities with environmental responsibility. The 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum hybrid powertrain provides the reliability needed for Vatican transportation duties while reducing emissions.
Ford selected the hybrid system to align with environmental stewardship values. The police-grade specifications ensure durability and security features appropriate for papal use, giving the vehicle enhanced capabilities beyond standard consumer models.
Popemobiles Through History and Ford’s Legacy
The Vatican’s relationship with specially designed vehicles spans decades, with Ford Motor Company playing a recurring role in papal transportation. From vintage models driven by previous pontiffs to modern charitable initiatives, the automaker has maintained ties to the Catholic Church beyond this latest custom Explorer.
Earlier Popemobiles and Notable Papal Rides
The term “popemobile” typically refers to the bulletproof, glass-enclosed vehicles used to transport popes during public appearances and ceremonies. These specialized vehicles became particularly important after security concerns intensified in the 1980s.
Mercedes-Benz has been the most frequent supplier of official popemobiles over the years. The German automaker provided modified G-Class SUVs and M-Class vehicles with custom bulletproof enclosures. Fiat and Renault also contributed papal vehicles, reflecting the Vatican’s European connections.
Pope John Paul II famously used a modified Mercedes-Benz 230 G following the 1981 assassination attempt. Later popes continued using protected vehicles for public events, though Pope Francis often chose simpler rides that allowed closer contact with crowds.
John Paul II’s Vintage Ford Escort
Pope John Paul II drove a 1975 white Ford Escort during his tenure as Archbishop of Kraków, Poland, before his elevation to the papacy in 1978. The modest vehicle reflected his down-to-earth nature and became a cherished piece of papal history.
The vintage Ford Escort was later donated to charity. In 2015, it sold at auction for $82,500, with proceeds benefiting youth education programs. The car had logged just 18,600 miles during John Paul II’s ownership and remained in well-preserved condition.
This humble Ford stood in stark contrast to the armored popemobiles that would later transport him during papal duties. It represented a simpler time in his ministry and demonstrated his preference for practical transportation over luxury.
Ford’s Involvement with the Pope Francis Center
Ford Motor Company has supported Catholic charitable work beyond vehicle donations. The automaker partnered with various church-affiliated organizations on community development initiatives in Detroit and other cities where Ford maintains a significant presence.
The company’s Chicago Assembly Plant, which built the custom Explorer for Pope Leo XIV, has operated continuously since 1924. The facility employs 4,587 workers across three shifts and produces the Explorer, Lincoln Aviator, and Police Interceptor SUVs.
Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife Lia, who are devout Catholics, personally gifted the customized vehicle to the pontiff. Their religious faith and the company’s Chicago roots created a natural connection to the first American-born pope from the South Side.
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