Ford Built a Custom Explorer for the Pope

Key Points

• Ford CEO gifted a custom 2026 Explorer Hybrid to Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City.
• The vehicle features Chicago-themed details and personalization, honoring the pope’s Chicago roots.
• “I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride,” said Ford CEO Jim Farley.

There have been many iconic popemobiles over the years, and Ford Motor Company was behind probably the most important one, the spectacular 1964 Lincoln Continental customized by coachbuilder Lehmann-Peterson. Commissioned for Pope Paul VI’s 1965 visit to New York, the stretched and modified limo featured an open-air rear compartment allowing the Pope to stand and greet crowds.

Another iconic Ford vehicle turned into a popemobile was a 1980 Ford Bronco that Pope John Paul II used during his visit to the U.S. in October 1979. The white two-door pickup truck is widely believed to have helped popularize the term “popemobile” in the media, which is no small thing.

The New Ford for the Pope Is Not Exactly a Popemobile

Fast forward to 2026 and a brand-new Ford vehicle has reached the Vatican as a personal gift from Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, who are devout Catholics. We’re talking about a custom-made 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum AWD hybrid built at Chicago Assembly Plant for Pope Leo XIV, a native Chicagoan.

Right off the bat, it’s pretty clear that this is a special vehicle because Ford currently does not make a hybrid Explorer Platinum, so the 3.3-liter V6 hybrid powertrain had to be sourced from the Police Interceptor Utility for this vehicle.

The Detroit Free Press learned the story of this unique Ford Explorer from company spokesman Mark Truby. Last fall, the automaker assembled a small team of workers at the Chicago Assembly Plant to build a unique Explorer for “a VIP.” The brief included the highest Platinum trim, an all-black exterior, special hand-stitching on the seats, etchings of the Chicago skyline throughout the cabin, and a hybrid powertrain.

After two months of customizing the vehicle, workers were finally told who it was for, and they were understandably very excited and proud to work on it. By mid-February, the finished vehicle was shipped to Rome, where last week, on February 28, Jim and Lia Farley delivered it to Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City. Apparently, they took it for a drive with the Pontiff, who “loved all the Chicago touches,” according to Truby.

Pope Leo XIV Enjoys “Driving a Sporty Ride”

Interestingly, this gift from the Farley family to the pope was supposed to remain private, but the Vatican issued a press release about the gifted vehicle, which is intended for the pope and Vatican to use however they want. Now, Ford is reportedly working on a video documenting the story of the unique Explorer.

Jim Farley told the Detroit Free Press that he reached out to the Vatican late last year, asking if the pope might need a new ride. The Vatican was interested in the offer, and that’s how the project began. “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 said.

The pope wanted the car to be painted black and have a hybrid powertrain. Special touches to the car also include seat tags featuring the city of Chicago flag and treadplates with an etching of the Chicago skyline on one end and St. Peter’s Basilica on the other end. The team also added fun touches such as empty boxes of the pope’s favorite pizza place, Aurelio’s in Chicago, and a sign that reads “Da Pope.” Ford also reserved two Illinois vanity plates for the car, “DA POPE” and “LEO XIV.”

Farley said the pope appreciated all the personalization and the letters from some Ford workers that came included with the car, and that he likes driving it. “I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride,” Ford’s CEO remarked. Hooked to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the hybrid powertrain delivers a healthy 318 hp and 322 lb-ft of torque, enabling a 136-mph top speed.