The popemobile, which was specially made for Pope Francis’ visit to Bethlehem in 2014, is getting a makeover to become a mobile health clinic for kids in Gaza. The conversion was approved by the pope before he passed away on April 21st. The vehicle, also known as a “papamobile”, was chilling at a café in Bethlehem after the Franciscan order donated it to Caritas Jerusalem, the humanitarian development organization of the Catholic church. The idea to turn it into a clinic came from Cardinal Anders Arborelius, Sweden’s first cardinal, who suggested it to the pope. Cardinal Anders is seen as a potential successor to the pope, so this move was kind of a big deal.
“We had this fancy popemobile sitting in a café in Bethlehem, collecting dust. So, we thought, why not put it to good use?” said Peter Brune, the secretary general of Caritas Sweden. Once they got the green light from the pope, Palestinian mechanics got to work on transforming the vehicle. They are equipping it with all the necessary medical supplies like rapid infection tests, suture kits, syringes, needles, oxygen tanks, vaccines, and a fridge for medicines. The new mobile clinic is expected to be up and running in the next two weeks.
Mr. Brune described the revamped vehicle as a “vehicle of hope” where kids can hop in, sit in the pope’s seat, and get the medical attention they need. Caritas Jerusalem operates ten clinics in Gaza, but no humanitarian aid has been allowed in since March 2nd. They hope that using the popemobile as a clinic will not only provide practical help but also draw attention to the dire situation in Gaza. The children there are the ones suffering the most, and it’s crucial to get them the aid they need.
During a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza war, more than 20,000 vehicles were allowed into the region. Mr. Brune pointed out that while this mobile clinic is just one vehicle, its symbolic value is huge. It’s a message to the powers that be to prioritize the needs of the children in Gaza. However, the clinic still needs authorization from COGAT (Co-ordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) to operate in Gaza. Unfortunately, that’s not something Caritas has control over.
The process of getting approval to use the popemobile as a clinic in Gaza is a bit of a waiting game. Mr. Brune expressed his frustration at the lack of progress, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Despite the challenges, the team at Caritas Jerusalem remains hopeful that they will soon be able to bring much-needed medical care to the children in Gaza using the iconic popemobile.
In the end, the journey of the popemobile from a display piece in a café to a mobile clinic in Gaza is a testament to the power of innovation and compassion. It’s a reminder that even in the midst of conflict and despair, there is always room for hope and healing. And maybe, just maybe, this little popemobile can make a big difference in the lives of the children it serves.
