The iconic Popemobile, used by Pope Francis during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014 and transformed into a mobile clinic for children in Gaza, is now blocked outside the border, unable to fulfill its mission, writes Aleteia.org.
The white vehicle, once a symbol of pastoral presence, was refitted with medical equipment and entrusted by Pope Francis to “Caritas Jerusalem“ before his death in 2025. His directive was simple: to bring healing to the children of Gaza, many of whom are growing up amidst war, hunger and displacement.
Today, that vision has stalled. The heavily fortified Rafah border crossing remains closed, and the Popemobile, converted into an ambulance, sits in limbo, blocked by bureaucracy and war, cbcpnews reported.
Israel has turned the Gaza Strip into a living hell, blocking any possible humanitarian aid from reaching needy civilians, many of them children.
“We are still working in coordination with government agencies to ensure that the Popemobile enters Gaza“, said a spokesman for “Caritas Jerusalem“. “But the borders remain closed and I don't think that will be possible in the near future“.
The Gaza Strip is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. Nearly one million children lack reliable access to clean water, food or medical care. The mobile clinic was conceived as a glimmer of hope in a desert of despair – a lifeline that can reach families where hospitals are destroyed or overwhelmed.
The process of obtaining entry permits from the Israeli government is painfully slow, and even crossing through Egypt has become almost impossible in recent weeks.
The decision to donate the car to Gaza was another gesture of solidarity by the Pope with those he has felt close to throughout his pontificate, and especially in recent years. As a result of the terrible war and the severe humanitarian crisis, almost a million children in the Gaza Strip have been forced to flee their homes, and the medical system has been almost completely destroyed.