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Pope's last humanitarian gesture stalled
One year after Pope Francis's death, his request to transform his popemobile into a mobile clinic for Gaza's children remains unmet. The converted vehicle, designed to treat up to 200 children daily, sits idle in Bethlehem while Israeli authorities review permit requests.
The popemobile's journey
The iconic white vehicle, last used by Francis during his 2014 Holy Land visit, was displayed outside a Bethlehem ice-cream parlour before Caritas Jerusalem retrofitted it for pediatric trauma care and vaccinations. Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Sweden, a close confidant of the late pope, called the project "a symbol of hope" for Gaza's war-affected children.
Bureaucratic hurdles
In December, Israel's defense ministry suspended 37 foreign NGOs, including Caritas Jerusalem, for failing to comply with new "security and transparency" rules. While the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem later secured an exemption for Caritas, citing its long-standing legal status, the popemobile's entry permit remains pending.
Cogat, the Israeli agency overseeing Gaza crossings, stated it facilitated two mobile clinics for the Latin Patriarchate in February but was "unaware of any request" for additional vehicles. A Caritas spokesperson confirmed ongoing "dialogue with authorities" regarding the permit.
Humanitarian needs in Gaza
The WHO reports only half of Gaza's hospitals are partially functional, with 18,500 patients-including 4,000 children-awaiting medical evacuations. Specialized care is scarce, and damaged facilities have struggled to restore services since a ceasefire took effect in October.
A plea for goodwill
"This is purely humanitarian, with no political agenda. It would honor Pope Francis's legacy of fostering unity and aiding children in dire need."
Cardinal Anders Arborelius
In his final Easter address, Francis-speaking through an aide-lamented Gaza's "deplorable humanitarian situation" and renewed calls for peace. Vatican footage from his last days showed his personal bond with Gaza's Christian community, whom he phoned nightly after October 2023's escalation displaced hundreds into Holy Family Church.
