The project represented a collision of the industrial and the divine, linking a century-old assembly plant on Chicago’s South Side with the ancient stones of the Vatican. For Ms. Barilovich, who was raised in a large Catholic family, the revelation was the professional equivalent of a benediction.
The vehicle, a one-of-a-kind model gifted to the Pontiff by Ford’s chief executive, Jim Farley, and his wife, Lia, was delivered in late February. While the Vatican has long utilized specialized transportation, this particular Explorer carries a distinct Midwestern DNA. It was assembled at the Chicago Assembly Plant, a facility that has anchored the city’s South Side for over 100 years. The location is more than a logistical detail; it is a nod to the Pope’s own biography. Leo XIV was raised in Dolton, a suburb just five miles from the factory floor where his new vehicle took shape.
Technical modifications were made to ensure the vehicle met both the functional and symbolic requirements of the Papacy. Under the hood, the Explorer features a 3.3-liter V6 hybrid powertrain paired with a 10-speed transmission. Engineers installed a specialized antenna compatible with European broadcast systems, while the exterior was finished with vanity plates reading LEO XIV and, in a playful nod to the Windy City, DA POPE.
Inside, the craftsmanship tells a story of two cities. Design flourishes include etchings of the Chicago flag and the city skyline alongside the silhouette of Saint Peter’s Basilica. During a private audience on February 28, Mr. Farley noted that the Pontiff appeared to appreciate the personal touches. After a brief drive, the executive confirmed that the Holy Father seemed to enjoy the vehicle’s more spirited performance characteristics.
Beyond the machinery, the exchange focused on the human element of the Chicago connection. Mr. Farley presented the Pope with handwritten letters from the assembly line workers and a photograph of the team. In return, the Pope blessed rosaries for the staff who had labored on the project. For the engineers and assembly workers in Chicago, seeing a product of their labor used on the Vatican grounds provided a rare sense of communal pride. Ms. Barilovich described the experience as the defining moment of her career to date, expressing hope that her letter conveyed the depth of the team’s dedication.