Francis's popemobile to become a mobile clinic for children in Gaza

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Mon 5 May 2025 11.25 EDT
Last modified on Mon 5 May 2025 14.57 EDT


Just over a decade ago, the converted Mitsubishi whisked Pope Francis through the streets of Bethlehem before it was left to gather dust. Now, in keeping with one of the late pontiff’s last wishes, the popemobile is being given a second life – as a mobile health clinic for children in the Gaza Strip.

In a region ravaged by more than 18 months of war, the initiative is both symbolic and practical, said Peter Brune, the secretary general of the Catholic charity Caritas Sweden. “We call it a vehicle of hope because it conveys a message to the children of Gaza that peace is possible, there will be peace, you will have a future and the world has not forgotten about you. And then there’s the very practical dimension in that it will actually deliver medical aid to affected children.”

Brune and his counterpart at Caritas Jerusalem, Anton Asfar, came up with the idea late last year. They soon arranged to have the question put to Pope Francis. “We got a letter from the pope saying, ‘Yes I’m glad to say that I fully endorse this idea’,” said Brune. Work swiftly began on fitting out the vehicle, which had been left sitting in Bethlehem since the 2014 visit, with supplies such as rapid tests for infections, suture kits and oxygen as well as a refrigerator for medication.

It will be used to diagnose and treat children who have no access to healthcare, bolstering the aid provided by Caritas Jerusalem, which has about 100 staff on the ground in Gaza. “This is a concrete, life-saving intervention at a time when the health system in Gaza has almost completely collapsed,” said Brune.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/05/francis-popemobile-mobile-clinic-children-gaza

[2naSalit]

1. That will be...

Blown to bits by the end of the first week it's put to use.

[Clouds Passing]

2. My first though also.

[Deuxcents]

4. Agree. Not letting food in and I don't think they'll have a second thought about destroying this, either

[Polybius]

8. I'm afraid that you're right

Hamas has no tolerance for other religions.

[Grokenstein]

3. Soldiers will squeal with laughter as snipers pick off survivors trying to escape the wreckage.

They've done it before.

[enid602]

5. Francis

I wonder if Francis himself decided on the use of the Popemobile. May his humility and inspiration serve to help enlighten those who need it.

[Beastly Boy]

6. I wonder how the rulers of Gaza

will take Catholic infidels encroaching on their domain.

I fear a certain official health agency in Gaza will not take their presence there lightly. It might interfere with them plotting wholesale martyrdom for Gazan children, "God willing"...

[maxsolomon]

7. So, the IDF will let the Popemobile into Gaza?

I seriously doubt that.

[enid602]

9. J C

I doubt they’d let J C himself into Gaza.