Before his passing, Pope Francis donated one of his popemobiles to be transformed into a mobile health unit to provide care for children in Gaza, officials announced on Monday.
The Caritas charitable branches in Jerusalem and Sweden shared photos of the converted vehicle on the same day. However, the exact timeline for its deployment remains unclear. This donation was revealed on the same day that Israel approved plans to seize the Gaza Strip and maintain a presence in the Palestinian territory for an indefinite period.
“When the humanitarian corridor to Gaza reopens, the popemobile will be ready to offer primary healthcare to children in Gaza,” Caritas Jerusalem stated.
The vehicle will be equipped with medical supplies, including diagnostic tools, examination equipment, suture kits, syringes, needles, oxygen, vaccines, and a refrigerator.
“This vehicle symbolizes the love, care, and solidarity His Holiness demonstrated for the most vulnerable, especially throughout the crisis,” said Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem, in a statement. During the conflict in Gaza, Pope Francis became increasingly vocal in his criticism of the Israeli military’s aggressive tactics, while also advocating for the return of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7. Last year, he called for an investigation into whether Israel’s actions constituted genocide—a charge Israel strongly denies.
The Pope consistently spoke out about the suffering of the people in Gaza. Even while hospitalized in February for pneumonia, he maintained a nightly tradition of calling the sole Catholic church in Gaza to check on the well-being of those sheltering there.
