Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Health Ministry: 1 woman martyred, 11 wounded in Israeli strike on residential apartment in Nabatieh, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Four civilians injured in Israeli strike that targeted house in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch strikes on regions of al-Mahmoudiyah, al-Khardali
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli aircraft execute series of strikes in Kfar Tibnit, South Lebanon.
Iranian ambassador in Beijing to Al Mayadeen: We hope that Europe and the US give up their illegal actions and authoritarian hegemony.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli shelling targets displaced persons' tent in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, casualties were reported
IOF storm Jalazone camp, north of Al Bireh city in the occupied West Bank
Israeli media: A severe incident reported in Gaza some time ago
Israeli media: Military evacuation helicopters are transporting injured soldiers from Khan Younis
Israeli media: A security incident has been reported in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip

Popemobile transformed into mobile clinic for Gaza's children

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 5 May 2025 21:01
3 Min Read

The mobile clinic will work to deliver life-saving care to Gaza's children, honoring Pope Francis’ final wish amid ongoing conflict.

Listen
  • x
  • People take photos by a photo of Pope Francis at the entrance to the car museum exhibiting one of the Popemobiles he used during his visit to Cuba in Havana, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP)
    People take photos by a photo of Pope Francis at the entrance to the car museum exhibiting one of the Popemobiles he used during his visit to Cuba in Havana, Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (AP)

The 'popemobile' once used by Pope Francis during his 2014 visit to Beit Lahm is being repurposed as a mobile medical unit to serve children in the Gaza Strip. The initiative, coordinated by the humanitarian group Caritas, comes in response to what the Vatican says is the pope's "final wish for the children of Gaza" before his passing last month.

Currently stationed in Beit Lahm, the vehicle is being outfitted with essential supplies to operate in active conflict zones. According to Caritas, "There'll be rapid tests, suture kits, syringes, oxygen supplies, vaccines and a small fridge for storing medicines." The clinic will be staffed by a team of medical professionals and accompanied by a dedicated driver.

The mobile unit is ready for deployment pending the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza. Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, expressed the urgency of the mission: "With the vehicle, we will be able to reach children who today have no access to health care – children who are injured and malnourished." He also noted that logistical work is ongoing to ensure the vehicle can withstand potential explosions. "It's not just a vehicle, it's a message that the world has not forgotten about the children in Gaza," he said.

Related News

IOF troops admit to killing starving Palestinians: Israeli media

Amid 'Israel's' brutal blockade, 2 babies die of malnutrition in Gaza

Humane legacy

Since the war began in October 2023, over 15,000 children have died and nearly one million have been displaced, according to UNICEF. The ongoing blockade by "Israel" has prevented aid from entering the Strip for more than two months. The UN children's agency said the situation has left "families struggling to survive" as essentials like food, water, and medicine dwindle to critical levels.

Throughout his papacy, Francis repeatedly condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In his final Easter address, he urged all sides to accept a ceasefire and spoke openly about the suffering of Palestinians. He also made personal efforts to stay in touch with Gaza's Christian community, reportedly calling parishioners nightly during the conflict. In one of his more controversial statements, he suggested that the global community should examine whether "Israel's" military actions might meet the threshold of genocide.

The popemobile itself has long symbolized the pontiff's direct engagement with the public. While earlier models were bulletproof following the 1981 assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II, Francis opted for a more open design. In a 2014 interview with Spanish media, he said he disliked the enclosed models, referring to them as resembling a "sardine can."

"Israel's" war on Gaza has so far resulted in at least 52,243 Palestinian deaths, and the numbers keep mounting amid the ongoing blockade, according to Gaza's health ministry. On Monday, "Israel's" security cabinet reportedly backed a plan to restart humanitarian aid deliveries via private firms. However, the UN and other relief agencies have criticized the proposal, arguing it violates humanitarian principles and declaring they will not take part.

Read more: 'Israel' deletes post with condolences on death of Pope Francis

  • genocide in Gaza
  • Pope Francis
  • Vatican
  • pope francis death
  • Gaza
  • Gaza children

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen delivers her speech during the French far-right party national rally near the parliament in Paris, Sunday, April 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
Politics

US aide proposed funding Le Pen's legal fight, sparking uproar

People whose names were left out in the National Register of Citizens (NRC) draft fill their forms to file appeals near a NRC center on the outskirts of Gauhati, India, Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)
Politics

India accused of illegal Muslim deportations to Bangladesh

Palestinians children mourn over the body of their father, Mohammed Ghaben, who was killed while heading to an aid distribution hub, at the morgue of the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (AP)
Politics

IOF troops admit to killing starving Palestinians: Israeli media

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS