Pope's final act of compassion: Papamobile to aid Gaza children
Pope Francis passed away on 21st April. A conclave to elect the new head of the Church will soon take place. Meanwhile, details concerning the final days of the Holy Father have come to light. Pope Francis donated his papamobile to the victims of the conflict in the Gaza Strip.
During his 12 years of pontificate, Pope Francis emphasised the importance of peace. His reign in the Vatican occurred during a time when the world was engulfed in many conflicts—from Ukraine, through the Caucasus, the Middle East, to Africa. The Pope showed special care for children, tens of thousands of whom perished due to wars like the one in the Gaza Strip. That is why one of Pope Francis's last wishes is particularly moving.
Pope Francis donated the papamobile to victims of the war in Gaza
According to Vatican News, the vehicle belonging to the Pope, the famous papamobile, will be converted into a mobile medical unit for children in Gaza. In the last months of his life, the Pope entrusted this initiative to Caritas Jerusalem, aiming to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where nearly one million children have been displaced. They face threats of hunger, infections, and other ailments.
In relation to this, the papal vehicle will be equipped with diagnostic, testing, and treatment equipment—including rapid infection tests, diagnostic instruments, vaccines, wound stitching kits, and other life-saving measures. The papamobile will be operated by doctors and medical professionals who will reach children in the most isolated parts of Gaza as soon as humanitarian access to the territory is restored.
With the vehicle, we will be able to reach children who today have no access to health care – children who are injured and malnourished. This is a concrete, life-saving intervention at a time when the health system in Gaza has almost completely collapsed, said Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, as quoted by Vatican News.
The conclave will take place on 5th May
Pope Francis passed away on 21st April, and his funeral took place five days later. The Pope was laid to rest in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. The cardinals now face the challenge of choosing a new pope. The conclave will begin on 7th May. More than 130 cardinals will elect the new Holy Father. The favourites to succeed Francis are mainly from Italy, but there are also candidates mentioned from Asia.
