Vatican City: Pope Francis has donated his iconic Popemobile to be transformed into a mobile health clinic for children suffering in war-torn Gaza.
The modified vehicle, once used to carry the pontiff through crowds during his 2014 visit to the West Bank, will soon deliver life-saving medical care to Palestinian children affected by Israel’s ongoing military offensive.
The Popemobile has been entrusted to Caritas Jerusalem, a Catholic humanitarian organization working across the Holy Land. In a public statement, the group confirmed that Pope Francis, in his final months, personally requested that the vehicle be repurposed to serve the children of Gaza.
“The purpose of the initiative is to safeguard and uphold children’s fundamental rights and dignity,” stated Caritas Jerusalem. The vehicle, now equipped with blast-proof windows, medical supplies, and space for healthcare staff, is intended to operate in some of the hardest-hit areas of the enclave, where hospitals and clinics have been severely damaged or destroyed.
Peter Brune, secretary general of Caritas Sweden, stressed that, “This is a concrete, life-saving intervention at a time when the health system in Gaza has almost completely collapsed. It’s not just a vehicle; it’s a message that the world has not forgotten about the children in Gaza.”
The mobile unit will offer basic pediatric care, including treatment for malnutrition, war-related injuries, infections, and other critical needs.
Until his final days, Pope Francis remained deeply engaged with the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza. In his last Easter message, he described the situation as “dramatic and deplorable” and renewed his call for an end to the violence and the release of remaining hostages.
“This vehicle represents the love, care, and closeness shown by His Holiness for the most vulnerable,” said Anton Asfar of Caritas Jerusalem. The Vatican has confirmed that the donation of the Popemobile to Gaza’s children was among Pope Francis’ final personal wishes.
