A vehicle once used by the late Pope Francis during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem has been transformed into a mobile health clinic, with Christian leaders hoping it will soon provide medical care to children in Gaza.
The initiative, blessed by Pope Francis before his death in April, was overseen by the Catholic organisation Caritas, which converted the Mitsubishi pick-up donated by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas into a mobile paediatric clinic.
“The vehicle represents a meaningful contribution toward the healthcare of children in Gaza,” said Caritas Secretary-General Alistair Dutton at a press conference in Bethlehem.
The open platform at the back of the vehicle, where the Pope once stood while greeting crowds, has now been enclosed to serve as a treatment area, capable of treating around 200 children a day, according to Caritas Sweden Secretary-General Peter Brune.
Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm described the vehicle as “a testimony that the world has not forgotten the children of Gaza,” noting that he had approached Pope Francis about the project before his death.
However, it remains unclear when the mobile clinic will enter Gaza, where a ceasefire is formally in place despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes following two years of conflict. “As soon as we possibly can,” Dutton said, without giving further details. Israeli authorities responsible for coordinating aid access declined to comment.
Father Ibrahim Faltas expressed hope that the clinic would soon reach Gaza, emphasizing that it is ready to help children in need.
Since the ceasefire, UNICEF reported at least 67 children have been killed in conflict-related incidents in Gaza. The Israeli military has stated its operations target militants posing threats to its forces.
Pope Francis frequently spoke out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling the situation “shameful,” urging the release of hostages, and maintaining contact with Gaza’s small Christian community.
Father Faltas added, “We know how much Pope Francis loved the people of the Holy Land, the people of Bethlehem, and especially the children of Gaza.”
