A unique blend of engineering excellence, personal pride, and shared hometown heritage came together recently when Ford Motor Company presented a specially customized 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum Hybrid to Pope Leo XIV. The one-of-a-kind vehicle, developed by a dedicated team of Ford employees, symbolizes a remarkable connection between the city of Chicago and the Vatican City, where the Pope now leads the global Catholic Church.
The special Explorer was presented by Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, and his wife Lia Farley during a private audience at the Vatican on February 28. Intended for use within the Vatican grounds, the vehicle reflects both advanced automotive technology and a heartfelt tribute to the Pope’s Chicago roots.
A Project Wrapped in Secrecy
When Ford engineer Jennifer Barilovich was assigned to the project, she initially knew only that the vehicle would be destined for a high-profile individual. As Lead Electrical Systems Integration Engineer, Barilovich’s role was to ensure the vehicle’s advanced electronics and hybrid systems functioned seamlessly.
At the beginning of the project, strict confidentiality surrounded the identity of the future owner. Ford’s engineering team was simply informed that the vehicle was intended for a VIP, and all design and customization work proceeded without knowledge of the final recipient.
Eventually, however, the secrecy was lifted. When Barilovich learned that the vehicle would be delivered to Pope Leo XIV, the revelation turned what had already been an exciting engineering challenge into a deeply personal milestone.
Barilovich comes from a large Catholic family, making the discovery particularly meaningful. She shared the news with her relatives as soon as she could.
Her family’s reaction was immediate excitement. For them, knowing that a member of their family was helping build a vehicle for the Pope made the project feel extraordinary.
A Vehicle Built in the Pope’s Hometown
The customized 2026 Ford Explorer was assembled at Ford’s historic Chicago Assembly Plant, a facility that has been operating on the city’s South Side for more than a century. The plant has long played a key role in Ford’s SUV production, manufacturing vehicles that are distributed across North America and international markets.
For this particular project, the Chicago plant carried special symbolic significance. Pope Leo XIV spent his childhood in the nearby suburb of Dolton, Illinois, located only about five miles from the factory where the vehicle was produced.
This shared geographic heritage created a powerful narrative behind the project: a vehicle designed and assembled in the Pope’s hometown, delivered to him thousands of miles away in the Vatican.
Ford executives and employees alike viewed the project as an opportunity to celebrate Chicago’s industrial heritage while honoring one of its most famous sons.
Engineering a Custom Explorer
Although the vehicle retains the overall design and capabilities of the 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum Hybrid, the team introduced several modifications to ensure it met the Pope’s needs within the Vatican.
At the heart of the SUV is a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid powertrain paired with a 10-speed hybrid transmission. This setup provides both performance and efficiency, allowing the vehicle to operate quietly and smoothly while navigating the Vatican’s historic grounds.
The hybrid configuration was chosen not only for its driving performance but also for its environmental benefits. The Vatican has increasingly emphasized sustainability initiatives, and the hybrid Explorer aligns with those broader values.
Another notable addition is a specialized antenna compatible with the European broadcast radio system. Because the vehicle will be used in Vatican City and surrounding areas of Italy, adapting the radio technology was essential.
This adjustment ensured the Explorer’s infotainment system could access local radio broadcasts without compatibility issues.
Personalized Design Details
The project team incorporated several unique design touches intended to reflect the journey from Chicago to the Vatican.
Among the most visible features are the vehicle’s custom vanity license plates, which read “DA POPE” and “LEO XIV.” These plates add a lighthearted yet distinctive element to the SUV’s exterior, making it instantly recognizable.
Inside the vehicle, additional design cues subtly reference the Chicago connection. The engineering and design teams worked closely together to ensure that these details were meaningful but tasteful, blending seamlessly with the Explorer’s premium interior.
The goal was to create a vehicle that felt both personal and respectful of the Pope’s position while still reflecting Ford’s craftsmanship and attention to detail.
A Personal Delivery to the Vatican
The Explorer was delivered personally by Jim and Lia Farley during their visit to Vatican City. The meeting provided an opportunity for the Ford CEO to present the vehicle and discuss its origins with the Pope.
According to Farley, the Pope immediately noticed the thoughtful details integrated throughout the SUV.
During the visit, Farley even had the opportunity to accompany the Pontiff on a brief drive, confirming that the Pope appreciated the vehicle’s responsive and sporty performance.
The encounter became a memorable moment for the Ford executive, highlighting how engineering, culture, and shared hometown pride could come together in a single project.
Chicago Pride on Display
One of the most meaningful aspects of the meeting involved a gesture from Ford employees back home in Chicago.
Farley brought with him a photograph of the Chicago Assembly Plant team responsible for building the Explorer. He also carried handwritten letters from many of the workers who had contributed to the project.
These letters allowed employees to share their pride and gratitude directly with the Pope, creating a personal connection between the manufacturing team and the vehicle’s new owner.
The Pope, in turn, offered a thoughtful response. He blessed several rosaries for Farley to bring back to the Chicago team as a token of appreciation.
For many workers at the plant, that gesture served as a powerful reminder that their work can have meaning far beyond the factory floor.
A Career Highlight for Ford Engineers
For engineers like Jennifer Barilovich, the project stands as a defining moment in their professional careers.
Automotive engineers typically focus on performance, safety, and technology, often working behind the scenes. But occasionally a project emerges that connects engineering to something larger—history, culture, or global leadership.
Building a vehicle for the Pope represents one of those rare opportunities.
Barilovich expressed hope that her letter conveyed how proud she felt to be involved in the project. She described the experience as the highlight of her career so far.
For the dozens of Ford employees who collaborated on the custom Explorer—from assembly workers to designers and engineers—the project demonstrated the collective power of teamwork.
A Symbol of Shared Heritage
The customized Explorer ultimately represents more than just a vehicle. It is a symbol of the enduring ties between Chicago’s industrial workforce and a global spiritual leader who once called the city home.
By designing and building the SUV in Chicago before delivering it to the Vatican, Ford created a bridge between two very different worlds.
On one side stands a historic American manufacturing city known for its factories, engineers, and automotive heritage. On the other is Vatican City, the spiritual center of the Catholic Church.
The Explorer connects these places through a shared story of roots, pride, and craftsmanship.
Engineering Meets Faith
As the Pope begins using the vehicle to travel across the Vatican grounds, the customized Explorer will quietly reflect the work of dozens of Ford employees who contributed to its creation.
For those individuals, knowing that their craftsmanship now serves a global religious leader is both humbling and inspiring.
The project highlights how automotive engineering can transcend its practical purpose. A vehicle designed to move people from one place to another can also carry stories, identities, and shared values.
In this case, the journey began at a historic assembly plant in Chicago and ended at the Vatican.
For the Ford team, it is a journey they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Source Link:https://www.fromtheroad.ford.com/
