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Pope Francis’ Former Popemobile Reborn as the “Vehicle of Hope” — A Mobile Clinic for Gaza’s Children

The popemobile used by Pope Francis in Bethlehem in 2014 has been converted into the "Vehicle of Hope," a mobile children’s clinic refitted by Caritas and Palestinian mechanics for about $15,000. The white, canopy-topped vehicle is equipped for triage, vaccinations, sutures and infection testing and could manage up to 200 consultations a day. The conversion reflects the late pope’s reported wish to help Gaza’s children, but the clinic still requires Israeli authorisation to enter Gaza amid a fragile truce and a heavily strained healthcare system.

10:12 AM, 11/26/2025Health
Pope Francis’ Former Popemobile Reborn as the “Vehicle of Hope” — A Mobile Clinic for Gaza’s Children

The vehicle that served as Pope Francis’ popemobile during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem has been transformed into a mobile children’s clinic called the "Vehicle of Hope." Unveiled in Bethlehem near the Church of the Nativity, the white, canopy-topped vehicle has been refitted to provide triage, examinations and basic medical care for children in the Gaza Strip.

Blessing and purpose. Cardinal Anders Arborelius, Bishop of Stockholm, blessed the vehicle at the unveiling and said, "The Vehicle of Hope is ready for its new mission. We want every child we reach to feel seen, heard and protected. The rights and well-being of the child come first." He described the conversion as "a message of compassion, dignity and hope."

Medical setup and capacity. Staffed by trained medical personnel, the former popemobile is equipped for examination, diagnosis and treatment, including vaccinations, sutures and infection testing. Organisers say it can perform up to 200 consultations a day. In a symbolic gesture, children will be treated while seated in the pontiff’s former chair.

Background and conversion. Pope Francis used this Mitsubishi popemobile during his May 2014 tour of Amman, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The vehicle was a gift from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and was later entrusted to Franciscan friars. After Pope Francis’ death in April at the age of 88, reports indicated his wish that the vehicle be repurposed to help Gaza’s children.

Caritas, the international Catholic humanitarian organisation, led the conversion. Palestinian mechanics refurbished and repurposed the vehicle at an estimated cost of $15,000, including enclosing its previously open sides to create a functional clinical space. "The children of Gaza were very close to the heart of Pope Francis," said Peter Brune, secretary-general of Caritas Sweden. "They will sit on the seat of the pope, and be treated like the most valuable person on Earth."

Access challenges. Organisers have not set a date for deployment because Israeli authorisation is required for entry into Gaza. The territory’s health system remains severely strained after two years of fighting; a fragile truce took effect on October 10. "As with all humanitarian assistance, we urgently need access to Gaza," said Alistair Dutton, Caritas secretary-general. "We’re working through official channels to get this in as quickly as possible."

The Vehicle of Hope combines symbolic value and practical support: a recognizable symbol of outreach converted into a compact, mobile clinic intended to reach children in one of the most urgent humanitarian settings in the region.

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