Behind Ford CEO Jim Farley’s Vatican Visit Is a Long Commitment to Helping Detroit’s Homeless
By Brian Grim
Ford CEO Jim Farley recently visited the Vatican with his wife, Lia, to present Pope Leo XIV with a custom-built Ford Explorer assembled in Chicago, the pope’s hometown. While the historic meeting drew global attention, Farley’s visit also reflects a deeper story of service. For decades, he has volunteered at Detroit’s Pope Francis Center, helping serve meals, distribute clothing, and support programs for men experiencing homelessness. Inspired partly by the loss of his cousin, comedian Chris Farley, Farley has helped raise funds and awareness for the center, encouraging others to give their time and resources to address homelessness in Detroit.
Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley recently made headlines after he and his wife, Lia Farley, presented Pope Leo XIV with a custom-built Ford Explorer during a special ceremony at the Vatican on Feb. 28. While the unique SUV — assembled at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant, the pope’s hometown — captured global attention, the moment also reflects a broader story about Farley’s long-standing commitment to service and community impact.
The custom Explorer featured several personal touches celebrating the pope’s Chicago roots, including Chicago skyline stitching and seat tags inspired by the city’s flag. During the visit, Farley even took a brief drive with the pontiff to demonstrate the vehicle’s advanced features. For Farley, however, the meeting represented more than a ceremonial gift.
“For me, what stays with me most is the gratitude and joy we felt meeting the Holy Father and sharing a small gesture that reflects the pride of the Ford team back home in Chicago,” Farley said.
Farley’s connection to faith-driven service runs deep. For decades, he has volunteered at Detroit’s Pope Francis Center, an organization dedicated to helping people experiencing homelessness. The center provides hot meals, housing support, job training, and addiction recovery resources, serving as a lifeline for men working to transition back into stable housing.
Farley’s dedication is personal. The work is partly inspired by the loss of his cousin, comedian Chris Farley, who died of a drug overdose at age 33. Since then, the Ford CEO has spent years serving meals, distributing clothing, and helping in the kitchen at the center while also supporting its expansion through fundraising and advocacy.
During a recent visit to the Pope Francis Center’s Bridge Housing Campus, Farley received a meaningful gift from resident Allan Webster — a handcrafted Ford Model T made from coffee stirrers and found materials. Webster, who has struggled with addiction and homelessness, created the model as a tribute to Ford’s legacy of innovation.
Farley said the piece will be displayed in his office at Ford’s new world headquarters, a reminder of the resilience and creativity that can flourish when people are given the support they need.
The moment underscores a philosophy Farley often shares publicly: business leadership should go hand in hand with community responsibility. Whether delivering meals in Detroit or presenting a vehicle to the Vatican, Farley has consistently used his platform to encourage others to contribute time, resources, and compassion to address social challenges.
In that sense, the custom Explorer delivered to the pope may symbolize more than a one-of-a-kind vehicle — it highlights a broader commitment to service that extends from Ford’s factory floors to communities in need.