The car\u2019s license plates read \u201cDA POPE\u201d and \u201cLEO XIV.\u201d<\/p>\n
The CEO of Ford Motor Co. gifted Pope Leo XIV a custom-made 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum hybrid embellished with small tributes to both Chicago and the Vatican.<\/p>\n
\u201cPope Leo XIV has deep roots on Chicago\u2019s South Side \u2014 just like Ford,\u201d Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, said in a statement shared with EWTN News. \u201cAnd 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
After Farley and his wife, Lia, decided to launch the project for the Chicago-born pope, Ford, one of the largest American car companies, reached out to the Vatican before putting together a team to create the one-of-a-kind vehicle for the first American pontiff.<\/p>\n
\u201cLia and I made the donation personally, but it only became possible because a group of Ford employees helped bring this special vehicle to life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The car features many nods to both Chicago and the Vatican. The scuff plates feature engravings of the Chicago skyline and St. Peter\u2019s Basilica to represent Pope Leo\u2019s journey to the Vatican. <\/p>\n
The seat tags are also designed as Chicago flags, and the car\u2019s license plates read \u201cDA POPE\u201d and \u201cLEO XIV.\u201d<\/p>\n
Center console of the custom Ford Explorer built for Pope Leo XIV embroidered with the Chicago skyline. Engravings of Chicago\u2019s skyline and St. Peter\u2019s Basilica appear on the scuff plates of the custom Ford Explorer built for Pope Leo XIV. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Ford<\/p>\n
Employees were told they were building a vehicle for \u201ca VIP,\u201d but because of confidentiality, they didn\u2019t originally know it was for the pope. Many only learned recently they helped build a car that is being driven on Vatican grounds.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as I could, I told my family,\u201d Jennifer Barilovich, lead electrical systems integration engineer for the project, said in a statement shared with EWTN News. \u201cI come from a huge Catholic family, so everyone was thrilled and just thought it was the coolest project.\u201d<\/p>\n
Adolphus Harper, a pre-delivery specialist for Ford, said: \u201cI graduated from St. Rita in 1986, so knowing that the pope who once taught me is now driving something I helped assemble \u2014 it\u2019s unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKnowing a vehicle built here in Chicago is going to the pope, it\u2019s hard not to feel proud. As someone with deep faith, it feels like an even greater honor,\u201d said Danny Golubovic, a pre-delivery specialist.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter 30 years at Chicago Assembly, the pride never fades,\u201d said Valerie Hernandez, a pre-delivery specialist for Ford. \u201cKnowing that something we built is out there being enjoyed by the pope makes me incredibly proud. It\u2019s a privilege to be part of something bigger than yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
From the Chicago Assembly Plant to the Chicago-born pope<\/p>\n
The car was gifted to Pope Leo in person by Farley and his wife on Feb. 28 during a private audience at the Vatican.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe noticed and appreciated all the personal touches,\u201d Farley said. \u201cWe even took a quick drive, and I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut more than anything, what stays with me is the feeling of gratitude and joy we experienced meeting him and sharing this small gesture,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Letter from Jennifer Barilovich delivered to Pope Leo XIV. |Credit: Photo courtesy of Ford<\/p>\n
The team also gave Pope Leo some other personal gifts including a picture of the Chicago Assembly Plant team, handwritten letters from employees, and a pizza box from Chicago\u2019s Aurelio\u2019s Pizza restaurant.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wrote a letter to the pope to tell him how much it meant to me,\u201d Barilovich said. \u201cI hope my letter gave the pope a sense of how proud I am. This is the highlight of my professional life so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
This article was originally published on EWTN News.<\/p>\n