(WWJ) The first American Pope now has an American vehicle. Ford CEO Jim Farley and his wife Lia donating a one-of-a-kind Ford Explorer to Pope Leo XIV.
"I reached out to the Vatican a few months ago, and that's how this began," said Farley. "Lia and I made the donation personally. But, it only became possible because a group of Ford employees helped bring this vehicle to life.
The Pope is from the South Side of Chicago, where the Explorer is built.
Workers at Ford's Chicago Assembly Plant knew they were making a vehicle for a VIP. But details were kept secret until the vehicle was finished.
"Knowing a vehicle built here in Chicago is going to the Pope, it's hard not to feel proud," said Chicago Assembly worker Danny Golubovic. "The work we do here is important--to our city, our families and people."
Here are some of the features of the highly customized vehicle:
A 3.3L V6 hybrid powertrain and 10speed hybrid transmission
EU spec radio hardware
Unique interior details including:
Chicago flag seat tags
Chicago skyline stitching on the center console
Engraved scuff plates featuring a Chicago-to-Vatican design.
The vehicle came with a few other gifts, including handwritten letters and a Chicago style pizza from Aurelio’s Pizza, a restaurant frequented by the Pope when he lived there.
It’s uncertain whether this will become an official “Popemobile.” But should it be driven in the U.S., Ford reserved two Illinois vanity plates, DA POPE and LEO XIV.
Jim and Lia Farley traveled to the Vatican to present the vehicle to the Pope personally last Saturday, February 28th.
"We even took a quick drive, and I can confirm the Holy Father enjoys driving a sporty ride."