One of Pope Francis’ last wishes was to convert his popemobile into a mobile clinic for children and send it to war-torn Gaza, which he named the Vehicle of Hope. A year later, after the first anniversary of his death, this wish is still waiting to be granted.
The popemobile was retrofitted and equipped for traumacare and vaccinations, and could treat up to 200 children a day. As the permit for the mobile clinic is still under processing by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Israeli border control, it remains in a glass case in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
Speaking to the BBC, Cardinal Arborelius said “We think it could be very important for everyone. It would show the goodwill of the authorities of Israel, it will give hope to the people, and it will show that somehow the spiritual heritage of Pope Francis is respected.”
Pope Francis was known to be deeply sympathetic to the humanitarian condition in Gaza, and called the Palestinian territory’s small Christian community nightly to check on their wellbeing. He strongly condemned the violations of international law in Gaza, writing in his book,
“According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide. … It should be carefully investigated to determine whether it fits into the technical definition formulated by jurists and international bodies.”
In his Easter message last year – his last public appearance – Pope Francis repeated his call for peace and a ceasefire in Gaza.
According to UNICEF, more than 20,632 children in Gaza have reportedly been killed as of 10 November 2025 and 7 44,000 children have been injured, including more than 11,000 children with life-changing injuries.
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