The bobbel, which Pope Francis uses a mobile clinic in Gaza

When Pope Francis Bethlehem visited in the West Bank occupied by Israel in 2014, he intersecting the traditional hometown of Jesus in a white bobbel manufactured to visit him.

Now, the car is converted into a mobile health clinic to treat Palestinian children with disease and wounded in the Gaza Strip – a blessed initiative of Pope Francis in the months before his death.

While the clinic will only serve a limited number of Palestinians in Gaza, Pope Francis’s personal participation in the project reflects his commitment to Palestinian civilians who fell in fire between Israel and Hamas, especially children, in more than 18 months of war.

“Papamobile is a very concrete sign that Pope Francis is concerned with the suffering of children in Gaza, even after his death!” Cardinal Anders Erborelis of Sweden said in an email on Monday.

The idea of ​​re -creation of the bobille came as a healthy clinic from Cartitas leaders, Catholic Organization, and Cardinal Ardirlius went from Francis with her. Swedish Cardinal A competitor to become The next Pope after Francis, who died on April 28.

President Bobili, the transformer, donated by President Mahmoud Abbas from the Palestinian Authority to visit Francis. It was given to the Franciscan order after that, then to Caritas after Francis blessed it in Gaza.

In November 2024, Francis representatives said that he welcomed the initiative, according to a message from VIP officials reviewed by the New York Times.

“I am pleased to convey the approval of His Holiness on the project, as well as ensuring his prayers for all associated with this charitable endeavor,” Bishop Edgear Benia Para, one of the senior assistants to Francis, wrote to the Cardinal Errliaus.

Popemobile will be equipped with a doctor, nurse and equipped with medical tools to provide basic care for children, including rapid tests of infection, sewing and injecting tools, according to Anton Asfar, Secretary -General of Caritas. Caritas Jerusalem has about 100 employees in Gaza that provides aid to the Palestinians.

Mr. Asmar said that preparing the car for use, including installing the explosion -resistant windows, will take approximately three weeks. He added that Caritas Jerusalem will soon request the approval of the Israeli authorities to hand them over to Gaza.

Cogat, the Israeli government agency responsible for coordinating the entry of aid to the pocket, did not respond to the request for commenting on whether Israel aims to allow the bobbel human beings. The Israeli authorities have imposed a totally siege on humanitarian supplies and commercial commodities over the past two months, saying that the ban was aimed at pressuring Hamas to launch more hostages who have been keeping it since October 7, 2023, an attack on Israel.

Francis was one of the most prominent prominent supporters of the ceasefire in Gaza and the delivery of humanitarian aid. He also called for the release of the hostages, met their relatives and condemned the Hamas -led attack, which left about 1,200 people dead and about 250 people.

It is too Often he had video calls with Christians She acquired a church in Gaza City and drew attention to the children who were killed in Israeli air strikes.

“Yesterday, the children were bombed,” Francis said in the December 2024 speech. “This is cruelty. This is not a war.”

The Israeli army said that the bombing campaign targeted the militants, officials, officials and weapons, and blamed the armed group for endangering civilians by inclusion with them.

Peter Bron, the Secretary -General of the Cartitas of Sweden, said the bobille will carry the message of hope and solidarity, but it will also provide required services.

He said, “It is symbolic,” but it is also practical. “

Elizabetta Povulido She contributed to the reports from Rome.