On 25 November, Caritas unveiled the “Vehicle of Hope,” the former Popemobile transformed into a mobile pediatric clinic designed to reach Gaza’s most vulnerable children, those living in areas where healthcare has broken down or become impossible to access.
In a letter, Pope Leo XIV formally acknowledged the initiative.
“It is my hope that this vehicle will continue to bring healing and compassion to children in conflict zones, particularly in Gaza. Its new mission reflects the love and solidarity embodied in Pope Francis’ legacy. I extend my Apostolic Blessing to all members, collaborators and friends of the initiative, as a pledge of joy and peace in the Lord.” – Pope Leo XIV
The launch of the Vehicle of Hope comes at a moment of extreme humanitarian strain. UN agencies estimate that more than 20,000 children have been killed since the escalation of the conflict, while tens of thousands more suffer from injuries, preventable diseases, malnutrition and severe psychological trauma.
Originally built by Mitsubishi, the vehicle has undergone a complete structural and medical refit. The chassis has been reinforced to handle damaged roads, while upgraded suspension and highresistance tires allow medical teams to reach areas inaccessible to standard ambulances.
Inside, the clinic provides a medical workspace, including a triage and examination area equipped for trauma stabilization, post-amputation care and emergency pediatric treatment. Refrigeration units, compliant with WHO’s vaccine-storage standards, allow safe transport of insulin, vaccines and pediatric antibiotics. The vehicle’s independent power system, supported by a backup battery bank, enables 6–8 hours of off-grid operation.
The vehicle once carried Pope Francis during his visit to Bethlehem. In early 2025, he personally approved its conversion into a humanitarian instrument, writing to Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm to authorize the project. Guided by that decision, the Vehicle of Hope has been rebuilt as a pediatric mobile clinic delivering lifesaving care to children displaced and injured by the war. With hospitals in ruins and access gravely limited, the vehicle provides not only medical treatment but a vital symbol of hope.
“I am deeply grateful for the encounters with people of goodwill here in the Holy Land,” said Cardinal Anders Arborelius, Bishop of Stockholm and one of the initiators of the project.
