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
Canada welcomes "Israel" and Hamas's agreement to implement the first phase of Trump's plan to end the war.
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: The presence of resistance leaders at the negotiations and the signing of the agreement, after "Israel" attempted to assassinate them in Qatar, is a humiliation for the occupation.
Al-Dali to Al Mayadeen: The agreement will be signed in the presence of Resistance leaders, led by Hamas, with senior official Khalil al-Hayya set to sign the agreement.
Trump to Fox News: I believe Iran is going to be involved in the peace situation.
Trump: Gaza will be rebuilt.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The occupation forces continue their violations, and warplanes are entering Gazan airspace at this moment.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The fate of thousands of civilians and journalists remains unknown.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The occupation forces continue bombing various areas of the Gaza Strip.
Hamas: We renew our pledge to our brave prisoners and their families that they will remain at the heart of our priorities, and we will not rest until the last prisoner enjoys freedom.
Hamas: We are awaiting the final approval of the names ahead of announcing them through the Prisoners’ Media Office.

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

Trump says Gaza phase one agreed on, to give speech in Israeli Knesset

Hamas announces reaching an agreement for ceasefire 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

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

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