In the West Bank, a 'papamobile' transformed into a clinic for Gaza

In the West Bank, a 'papamobile' has been repurposed into a mobile clinic for children in Gaza. This vehicle, originally used by Pope Francis during his trip to the Holy Land, was unveiled in the streets of Bethlehem on Tuesday, now serving a new mission. Cardinal Anders Arborelius, the bishop of Stockholm, declared, "The 'Vehicle of Hope' is ready for its new mission," at a press conference with journalists.

He blessed the small vehicle that Pope Francis used during his visit to the Palestinian Territories in 2014, after it was refurbished by the Swedish branch of the Catholic NGO Caritas.

Recognizable by its immaculate white color and elevated canopy from which the Pope greets crowds, this vehicle, now named the 'Vehicle of Hope', will be sent to Gaza, a territory devastated by over two years of war, fulfilling Pope Francis's wishes before his death.

Equipped for consultations and vaccination campaigns, this remarkable mobile clinic aims to assist up to 200 patients each day.

More than ten years ago, in May 2014, Pope Francis visited Amman, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem, marking his second foreign trip since taking office. At the time, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas gifted him this modified Mitsubishi, which the Pope used to traverse Manger Square, a major pilgrimage site in occupied Bethlehem.

The vehicle was then entrusted to Franciscan brothers, the official guardians of Christian holy sites in the Holy Land.

Before passing away on April 21 at the age of 88, Pope Francis expressed his "last wish" for the children of Gaza was for the 'papamobile' to be converted into a mobile clinic for them, according to reports by Vatican News in May.

Caritas invested nearly 13,000 euros to have Palestinian mechanics restore and modify the vehicle, including closing its sides.

"The children of Gaza were very close to Pope Francis's heart," stated Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, who attended the vehicle's presentation. "They will sit in the Pope's seat and be treated as the most important person in the world," he added.

During the press presentation, Cardinal Arborelius emphasized that "the world has not forgotten the children of Gaza." With this vehicle, he aims to send "a message of compassion, dignity, and hope" just weeks before Christmas, as preparations are underway in this city that welcomes pilgrims from around the globe at the end of December.

No date has yet been set for the mobile clinic's launch. The vehicle's unveiling comes just days before Pope Francis's successor, Pope Leo XIV, embarks on his first foreign tour, which includes the Middle East.

"Like all humanitarian sectors, we urgently need access to Gaza," said Alistair Dutton, Secretary General of Caritas, to AFP. "We are in contact with authorities to get this vehicle in as soon as possible."

NGOs and the United Nations regularly denounce the constraints and restrictions imposed by Israel on aid entering the territory, claiming these hinder their operations, which Israel denies.