Before his passing, Pope Francis donated one of his popemobiles to be converted into a mobile clinic to assist children in Gaza, a community severely impacted by the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis. The popemobile, used by the Pope during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem, has been refurbished and equipped with essential medical instruments to provide critical care to injured and malnourished children.
The initiative, entrusted to Caritas Jerusalem, aims to respond to the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza, where nearly one million children are displaced and lack access to basic medical care. The mobile pediatric clinic, dubbed “Vehicle of Hope,” will be operated by trained medical staff and drivers from Caritas Jerusalem, providing vital medical assistance in isolated areas. According to Peter Brune, secretary general of Caritas Sweden, the popemobile is not just a medical device but a symbol that the world has not forgotten the children of Gaza.