When Pope Francis visited Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank in 2014, he traveled in a specially manufactured white popemobile. This vehicle is now being repurposed into a mobile health clinic aimed at treating ill and wounded Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, an initiative that received the Pope's blessing prior to his death.
The clinic, while intended to serve a limited number of Palestinians in Gaza, underscores Pope Francis's commitment to supporting Palestinian civilians, particularly children, affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas over the past 18 months.
Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden remarked that the transformation of the popemobile into a health clinic is a tangible demonstration of Pope Francis's concern for the suffering of children in Gaza, even after his passing.
The initiative to convert the popemobile into a health clinic originated from leaders of Caritas, a Catholic organization. Cardinal Arborelius presented the idea to Pope Francis, who had died on April 28, 2024. The popemobile, a modified Mitsubishi, was originally donated by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas for the Pope's visit and later passed to the Franciscan order before being transferred to Caritas.
In November 2024, representatives of Pope Francis indicated his support for the project through letters from senior Vatican officials. Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, a senior aide, conveyed the Pope's approval and offered prayers for those involved in the charitable endeavor.
The mobile clinic will be staffed by a physician and a nurse, equipped with medical supplies to provide basic care for children, including rapid infection tests, suture kits, and syringes, as stated by Anton Asfar, the secretary general of Caritas Jerusalem. The organization has approximately 100 staff members in Gaza assisting Palestinians.
Preparation of the vehicle for its new purpose, including the installation of blastproof windows, is expected to take about three weeks. Caritas Jerusalem plans to seek approval from Israeli authorities to transport the vehicle to Gaza.
The Israeli government agency responsible for coordinating aid entry into Gaza, COGAT, did not respond to inquiries regarding the potential passage of the popemobile. Israel has maintained a total blockade on humanitarian supplies and commercial goods for the past two months, citing the need to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Pope Francis was a vocal advocate for a cease-fire in Gaza and the provision of humanitarian aid, frequently calling for the release of hostages and condemning the violence that resulted in significant casualties. He also engaged in video calls with Christians seeking refuge in a church in Gaza City and highlighted the plight of children affected by airstrikes.
Peter Brune, the secretary general of Caritas Sweden, noted that while the popemobile carries a message of hope and solidarity, it will also provide essential medical services, emphasizing its symbolic and practical significance.