Pope Francis' popemobile converted to clinic for Gaza children

• Caritas Internationalis unveiled a mobile pediatric health clinic, dubbed the "Vehicle of Hope," repurposed from the Popemobile used by the late Pope Francis.
• The vehicle is set to provide critical medical care to children in Gaza, fulfilling one of the late pontiff's final wishes, though its entry into the territory awaits ‘Israeli’ authorization.

Caritas Internationalis unveiled a mobile health clinic on Tuesday, repurposed from the Popemobile used by the late Pope Francis during his historic 2014 visit to Bethlehem.

The vehicle, now dubbed the "Vehicle of Hope," is set to provide critical pediatric care to children in war-torn Gaza, fulfilling one of the pontiff's final wishes before his death earlier this year.

The original Popemobile, a converted white pickup truck donated by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, carried Pope Francis through the streets of Bethlehem in May 2014, where he greeted crowds in Manger Square and called for peace in the region.

After the visit, the vehicle was entrusted to the Franciscan friars. Shortly before his passing on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, Pope Francis personally approved its transformation into a mobile clinic.

Caritas Jerusalem, the local branch of the global Catholic aid organization, oversaw the conversion at a cost of approximately $15,000, with Palestinian mechanics handling the refurbishments.

The vehicle's open platform, once the spot where the pope stood to wave at faithful crowds, has been enclosed and outfitted as a fully equipped pediatric treatment area.

Upgrades include reinforced chassis and suspension for navigating damaged roads, high-resistance tires, refrigeration units compliant with World Health Organization standards for storing vaccines, insulin, and antibiotics, and an independent power system allowing for six to eight hours of off-grid operation.

The clinic is designed for triage, examinations, trauma stabilization, post-amputation care, and emergency treatments, with the capacity to handle up to 200 consultations per day.

Children receiving care will even sit in the former papal seat, a symbolic touch emphasizing their value, as noted by Peter Brune, secretary general of Caritas Sweden: "The children of Gaza were very close to the heart of Pope Francis. They will sit in the pope’s seat and be treated like the most valuable person on Earth."

The unveiling took place near Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, blessed by Swedish Cardinal Anders Arborelius, who described the vehicle as "a testimony that the world has not forgotten the children of Gaza."

This event comes amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza that took effect on October 10, 2025, following an ‘Israeli’ assault on Gaza that has claimed over 20,000 children's lives, left tens of thousands injured or malnourished, and devastated the region's healthcare infrastructure.

Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis, emphasized the project's broader significance: "This gesture by Pope Francis and the presence of a paediatric clinic like this is more than just an offer of health care. It is a symbol of hope, a hope for the future, a hope for reconciliation and a hope for the health of children of Gaza."

Anton Asfar, head of the project at Caritas Jerusalem, added: "This is not just a medical intervention, it is our moral responsibility in the face of an unfolding catastrophe. The Vehicle of Hope is another step in easing the suffering of the most vulnerable, especially children."

The initiative has the blessing of Pope Francis's successor, Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in May 2025 and stated that the vehicle "will continue to bring healing and compassion to children in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza”.

While the clinic is ready for deployment, its entry into Gaza remains uncertain. Caritas is working through official channels to secure ‘Israeli’ authorization, as access to the territory is coordinated by COGAT.

Father Ibrahim Faltas, representing the Franciscan Friars, expressed optimism: "We know how much Pope Francis loved the people of the Holy Land, the people of Bethlehem and especially the people of Gaza," hoping the vehicle could enter in the near future.