Manufactured in the same region where pontiff Robert Prevost grew up, the Ford Explorer features details of St. Peter's Basilica and hybrid technology
Pope Leo XIV officially received a 2026 Ford Explorer Platinum AWD hybrid as a gift from Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife, Lia. The handover ceremony took place at the Vatican on February 28 and was marked by strong geographical and affective symbolism: the SUV was manufactured at Ford’s plant in Chicago, located just eight kilometers from where the pontiff, born Robert Francis Prevost, spent his childhood and youth.
In addition to the keys to the vehicle, the Pope received handwritten letters and photographs from the workers responsible for assembling the SUV on American soil. In a gesture of retribution, the pontiff handed out blessed rosaries intended for employees of the Chicago production line.
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The customization of the Explorer was designed to celebrate the personal trajectory of the Pope. The door sills feature unique engravings that fuse the skyline of Chicago buildings with the architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Inside, the central armrest features an embroidery with the inscription “Windy City”, alluding to the metropolis of Illinois.
The care with the details extends to labels on the seats inspired by the Chicago flag and personalized signs with the words “DA POPE” and “LEO XIV”. To meet operational needs in Europe, the model was equipped with an antenna configured specifically for the continent’s radio frequencies.
Under the hood, the SUV has a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid engine, a mechanical set identical to that used in the brand’s Police Interceptor versions, delivering a power of 318 hp. Although it was not designed to replace the official “popemobile” of large parades, the vehicle will be integrated into the fleet of daily commutes and administrative routines of the Catholic authority.
