When Francis visited Bethlehem in 2014 on the Israeli-occupied West Bank, he made white Popemobile crisscrossed the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
Now the car is being transformed into a mobile health clinic to treat sick patients and injured Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, an initiative that Pope Francis blessed in the months before his death.
While the clinic can only serve a limited number of Palestinians in Gaza, the personal participation of Pope Francis reflects his commitment to Palestinian civilians captured in the firefight between Israel and Hamas (particularly Hamas) in the war for more than 18 months.
“Papamobile is a very specific sign that Pope Francis cares about all the sufferings of children in Gaza even after his death!” Sweden's cardinal Anderers Arborelius said in an email on Monday.
The idea of recreating popemobile as a health clinic comes from the leaders of the Catholic organization Caritas, while Cardinal Arborelius approaches Frances. The Swedish cardinal was the contender for the next pope after his death on April 28.
Popemobile is a converted Mitsubishi, donated by the visit of the Palestinian authorities Francis. Afterwards it was given to the Francisian order, and then after Francis blessed its use in Gaza, it was then given to Caritas.
Francis' representative said in November 2024 that he welcomed the initiative, according to two letters from senior Vatican officials reviewed by The New York Times.
“I am very happy to convey his holiness’ recognition of the project and to guarantee all his prayers about this charity.” Edgar Peña Parra, senior assistant to Francis, wrote to Cardinal Arborelius.
According to Jerusalem Secretary-General Anton Asfar, Popemobile will be equipped with doctors and nurses and medical devices to provide basic care for children, including rapid testing of infections, suture kits and syringes. Caritas Jerusalem has approximately 100 employees in Gaza to provide assistance to Palestinians.
Asfar said it would take about three weeks to prepare for the vehicle, including the installation of fire windows. He added that Jerusalem, in Jerusalem, will soon ask Israeli authorities to approve its delivery to Gaza.
Kogat, an Israeli government agency responsible for coordinating assistance to enter the enclave, did not respond to a request for comment on whether Israel intends to allow Popemobile to pass. Over the past two months, Israeli authorities have imposed a comprehensive blockade of humanitarian supplies and commercial goods, saying the ban is to force Hamas to release more hostages since the attack on Israel since October 7, 2023.
Francis is one of the most outspoken supporters of the ceasefire and the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza. He also called for the release of hostages, met with their relatives, and condemned the Hamas-led attack, which killed about 1,200 people and about 250 were kidnapped.
He also frequently lives with Christians in a church in Gaza City and draws attention to children who died in Israeli air strikes.
“Yesterday, the kids were blown up,” Francis said in his December 2024 speech. “It's cruel. It's not war.”
The Israeli military said its bombing campaign targeted Hamas militants, officials and weapons infrastructure and accused militants of danger by embedding them with them.
Caritas Sweden Secretary General Peter Brune said Popemobile will convey a message of hope and solidarity, but will also provide the services needed.
“It's symbolic, but it's also practical,” he said.
