One of Pope Francis’ popemobils is to be reused and, following the last wish of the late Pope, becomes a mobile health clinic for Gaza children.
The so-called popemovie is a vehicle that Catholic Church leaders have used for many years on visits to pontificates to various countries and territories, Reuters reported.
Vatican Media Service Vatican News reported that Pope Francis, who passed away last month, entrusted the project to Catholic aid organization Caritas Jerusalem in the months following his death.
“This is a concrete, life-saving intervention when Gaza’s healthcare system collapses almost completely,” Peter Brune, executive director of Caritas Sweden, who supports the project, told Vatican News.
The vehicle used by Francis on his 2014 trip to the Holy Land, and equipped with equipment for diagnostics, medical examinations and treatment, Vatican’s media services reported Sunday.
The vehicle will have doctors and medics placed there and are tasked with reaching the child in isolated parts of Gaza.
“It’s not just a vehicle,” Brune added. “It’s a message that the world hasn’t forgotten the children of Gaza.”
Vatican news quoted Francis frequently saying, “Children are not numbers. They are faces. Names. Stories. And each one is sacred.”
Pope Francis was a defender of Gaza’s voice of peace, condemning the bombing of children on Palestinian territory and ending hostilities.
Since the war in Gaza began in 2023, Pope Francis has confirmed that Palestinians will be regularly evacuated in a small Catholic parish in Gaza city.