Pope Leo Gets a Free Ford Now

Pope Leo made history as the first American elected to the papacy, and now he has something special to remind him of his hometown, Chicago.Ford CEO Jim Farley has donated a Ford Explorer to the Vatican, but not an ordinary one that he picked from a dealership lot.The seats feature the Chicago city flag. FordThe Explorer is built at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, which is the only automobile factory located within the city’s limits. Mr. Farley, who personally paid for the vehicle, pulled a few strings to have a unique version designed for His Holiness.The black, three-row SUV is built to the Explorer’s top luxury Platinum specification, but it is equipped with a 318-horsepower hybrid powertrain that is not available to retail customers. Ford only sells hybrid Explorers to law enforcement and government fleets, and the Vatican’s motor pool is full of fuel-efficient and electric vehicles.The formal Popemobile is based on an electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class. David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe iconic white “Popemobile” that is used for public events is an electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class equipped with an open deck for His Holiness to stand on during processions. Pope Francis was typically chauffeured around in compact economy cars, in keeping with his famously austere lifestyle.Explorer shoppers looking to emulate the vehicle’s styling will need to settle for a 300-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That is the standard motor for the Explorer Platinum, which is offered in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions starting at $55,000.Images of St. Peter’s Basilica and Chicago are printed on the scuff plates. FordMr. Farley tasked the Explorer team with adding additional custom touches to the vehicle, including an antenna that works with European band radio, but initially kept the identity of its future owner secret.“As soon as I could tell my family, I told them,” sai lead electrical systems engineer Jennifer Barilovich in a Ford video documenting the project. “I come from a huge Catholic family, so they were just all thrilled and thought it was the coolest project,” she said.Jim Farley, CEO of Ford talks on stage during the Red Bull Racing season launch at Michigan Central Station on January 15, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. Mark Thompson/Getty ImagesThe designers added tabs to the front seats featuring the Chicago city flag, with its blue bars and red stars on a white background. They also stitched an image of the Windy City’s skyline into the center armrest’s leather upholstery.The skyline appears again on the metal scuff plates at the bottom of the door openings, alongside a depiction of St. Peter’s Basilica. The vehicle was delivered with “DA POPE” and “LEO XIV” vanity license plates and a collection of personal letters from several team members who helped create it. His Holiness responded to the gesture by sending back blessed Rosaries in thanks.The Chicago skyline is stitched into the center armrest. FordMr. and his wife, Lia, personally delivered the Explorer during a private event in February. The Vatican has not yet issued any official comment or images, but Mr. Farley shared a few thoughts from the meeting.“He noticed and appreciated all the personal touches,” Mr. Farley said in a statement issued by Ford. “We even took a quick drive, and I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride.” While living in Chicago, he owned a Ford Fusion with a manual transmission.Pope Leo XIV waves as he arrives in the Popemobile ahead of the Inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV in St Peter’s Square on May 18, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. David Ramos/Getty ImagesThe Explorer will be used primarily within the borders of Vatican City. The entire country is just one-fifth of a square mile in size and has a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour (19 mph), so His Holiness and his staff will not likely have the opportunity to experience its 136 mph top speed.“I hope he enjoys every bit of the car and that it makes him feel like at home,” Ms. Barilovich said. “A lot of time and heart went into creating it.

Pope Leo Gets a Free Ford Now

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