Ford’s Chicago Plant Produces Special Explorer for Pope Leo
Ford’s Chicago Plant Produces Special Explorer for Pope Leo by Michael Strong Published: March 9th, 2026 Pope Leo XIV hasn’t been shy about his Chicago roots since taking the job but having ties to that toddling town is paying off in a new way for him courtesy of a new specialized Ford Explorer built at the company’s Windy City plant. Jim and Lia Farley donated a 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum AWD hybrid car to Pope Leo XIV on Feb. 28. The Explorer was customized with a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid powertrain and 10-speed hybrid transmission, as well as an antenna that’s compatible with the European broadcast radio system. Vanity license plates read “DA POPE” and “LEO XIV.” It is not the official “Popemobile,” but instead will be used onsite at the Vatican. Jim Farley walked the pope, who began his career as Robert France Prevost teaching math and physics before eventually becoming the pope, through some of the Explorer’s features. Those details included several design references highli...