A secret Ford project turned out to be a new Chicago-themed car for the Pope. See inside the SUV.
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- Ford workers built a secret "VIP" Explorer — and only later learned it was destined for the Pope.
- The Explorer won't replace the Popemobile. That remains an electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
- Ford gifted the car to the Pope in February.
Workers at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant knew a three-row Explorer rolling through the factory was meant for a VIP.
They just didn't know it was built to be a gift for the Pope.
Now, that SUV is at the Vatican.
Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia, personally delivered a customized Explorer to Pope Leo XIV on February 28. The vehicle was built about five miles from where the Chicago-born pontiff grew up.
"I reached out to the Vatican a few months ago, and that's how this began," Farley said in a press release. "We even took a quick drive, and I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride."
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Ford said the SUV is a luxury-spec, all-wheel-drive Explorer Platinum hybrid — a powertrain configuration that isn't available at US dealerships.
The automaker has built hybrid 2026 Explorers for police interceptor models, according to CarGurus data.
The new Explorer won't replace the Pope's official Popemobile, the company confirmed to Business Insider. It doesn't have bullet-proof glass or a ceremonial standing platform.
Mercedes-Benz has historically supplied the Pope's official set of wheels. The luxury German automaker last delivered an electric G-Class to Pope Francis in December 2024.
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That custom-built vehicle — complete with a white interior, red carpets, and a higher-raked second-row seat — reportedly cost about $500,000.
Platinum-trim Explorers typically start around $50,000 and can climb to roughly $65,000 depending on options, according to Ford's website.
The Pope's new Explorer looks like a regular Ford from the exterior. Inside, it comes with personalized touches honoring the Pope's hometown, including Chicago flag seat tags, skyline stitching on the center console, and engraved door plates.
"He noticed and appreciated the personal touches," Farley said about the Pope.
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Workers at the Chicago plant say they were thrilled to learn they had helped build a car for the Pope — especially one with ties to their hometown.
"I come from a huge Catholic family, so everyone was thrilled and just thought it was the coolest project," Jennifer Barilovich, a lead electrical systems engineer for Ford, said. "I wrote a letter to the Pope to tell him how much it meant to me. I hope my letter gave the Pope a sense of how proud I am. This is the highlight of my professional life so far."