From the Liveblog of
Sunday, May 4, 2025
West Bank popemobile to be transformed into ‘mobile clinic’ for wounded children in Gaza
Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
The popemobile made for Pope Francis’s 2014 visit to the West Bank is being transformed into a “mobile clinic” for wounded children in Gaza, The New York Times reports.
The pope gave the initiative his blessing in November of last year, according to the report.
Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas donated the Mitsubishi for the pope’s use during his papal visit, after which it was given to the Franciscan order. The order passed it along to the Jerusalem branch of Catholic aid organization Caritas Internationalis, which came up with the idea for it to be used by a medical team.
The converted popemobile will carry a doctor and nurse, and will have equipment to test for infections and suture wounds, says the Times.
It will take three weeks to transform the vehicle and install blast-proof windows.
Caritas Jerusalem has yet to request approval from Israel for the delivery of the clinic into Gaza.
The Times of Israel Community.