A once-iconic symbol of papal diplomacy is being transformed into a life-saving vehicle.
The popemobile that carried Pope Francis through Bethlehem in 2014 is being converted into a mobile medical clinic for children in Gaza—a project endorsed by the late pope before his passing.
The initiative, led by Caritas Sweden and Caritas Jerusalem, aims to deliver vital healthcare to children in a war-torn region where the medical system has all but collapsed. Peter Brune, Caritas Sweden’s secretary general, called the vehicle a “symbol of hope” and a “concrete, life-saving intervention.”
Outfitted with essential medical supplies like infection tests, oxygen, suture kits, and a refrigerator for medicines, the vehicle will support on-the-ground teams in Gaza. Caritas Jerusalem has around 100 staff members operating amid severe shortages and restricted aid access.
The move reflects Pope Francis’s deep concern for Gaza’s civilians, especially children. Known for his outspoken criticism of the conflict, he often condemned violence, including a December airstrike that killed seven children. He had made nightly calls to Gaza’s only Catholic church, offering support during the crisis.
While the popemobile-turned-clinic awaits permission from Israeli authorities to enter Gaza, the humanitarian need is urgent. Aid groups report children dying from starvation and lack of medical care. More than 15,000 children have died in the conflict so far, with nearly 1 million repeatedly displaced, according to UNICEF.
Brune emphasized: “Children must never be used as instruments in war. It’s against every humanitarian principle.”