Pope Francis's last wish: Popemobile to become health clinic for Gaza children

A last wish of Pope Francis, a vocal advocate of those suffering in Gaza, has been fulfilled after the Vatican's official media outlet said on Sunday that one of the late pontiff's popemobiles will be converted into a mobile clinic to assist the children of Gaza.

 

Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the catholic church, passed away on April 21. 

 

Peter Brune, secretary-general of Caritas Sweden and one of the project’s driving forces, told a Spanish newspaper that the popemobile was used by the pontiff during his visit to Bethlehem in May 2014 during his historic trip to the Holy Land. "Since then, the vehicle has been on display in a public square in the Palestinian city," he said. 

 

Brune said the vehicle has been refurbished and upgraded and will be given to Gaza to provide medical assistance to injured and malnourished children who currently have no access to any type of health care. 

 

The vehicle, rechristened 'Vehicle of Hope', is being outfitted with diagnostic and emergency medical equipment besides other facilities, including rapid infection tests, vaccines, diagnostic tools, and suture kits. It will be staffed by medical personnel and will be operated by staff from Caritas Jerusalem, an organisation with extensive experience in the region. 

 

The Pope had personally entrusted the Caritas Jerusalem in the final months to carry out his last wish. "This vehicle represents the love, care and closeness shown by His Holiness for the most vulnerable, which he expressed throughout the crisis," said Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem. 

 

Before his death, the Pope had condemned the attacks on the Palestinians in Gaza by Israel. During his pontificate, he criticised the Israeli government, stating in his address in November 2023, "...we have gone beyond wars. This is not war. This is terrorism." 

Middle East