Julius OkorieThe directive of late Pope Francis that his popemobile be converted to Health Clinic for Gaza Children is being followed to the letter it has been revealed.
Picture has emerged of Caritas working on the Popemobile as one of the wishes of the late 266th Pope of the Catholic Church who passed on Galilee day at 88.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPope Francis meant the Popemobile to be a special gift for Gaza Children even as his quest for peace around the world remained legendary.
Pope Francis often stated that “Children are not numbers. They are faces. Names. Stories. And each one is sacred”, and with this final gift, his words have become action.
His legacy of peace continues to shine in a conflict-ridden world. The closeness he showed to the most vulnerable during his earthly mission is radiating even after his death, and this most recent surprise is no exception.
His popemobile, the very vehicle from which he waved and was close to millions of faithful all around the world, is being transformed into a mobile health unit for the children of Gaza.
It was his final wish for the people to whom he had shown such solidarity throughout his pontificate, especially in the last years.
And in his final months, the Pope entrusted the initiative to Caritas Jerusalem, seeking to respond to the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where nearly one million children have been displaced.
READ ALSO:Pope Francis Laid To Rest As World Leaders, Thousands Of Mourners Pay Tribute
Amid the horrific war, collapsed infrastructure, a mutilated healthcare system and lack of education, children are the first to pay the price, with starvation, infections and other preventable conditions putting their lives at risk
The repurposed popemobile is being outfitted with equipment for diagnosis, examination, and treatment – including rapid tests for infections, diagnostic instruments, vaccines, suture kits, and other life-saving supplies. It will be staffed by doctors and medics, reaching children in the most isolated corners of Gaza once humanitarian access to the strip is restored.
In a press release, Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, wrote that “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”, he added.
Caritas Jerusalem, which has long served Gaza’s communities under difficult conditions, is leading the on-the-ground effort. With over one hundred staff members committed to healthcare delivery, the organisation is now building on the Pope’s legacy of compassion and strength whilst bringing his final blessing to the people of Gaza.
“This vehicle represents the love, care and closeness shown by His Holiness for the most vulnerable, which he expressed throughout the crisis,” said Anton Asfar, Secretary General of Caritas Jerusalem.
In photos released from the project, the vehicle appears to have been carefully adapted to fit the needs of those most in need.
But “it’s not just a vehicle,” Brune said. “It’s a message that the world has not forgotten about the children in Gaza.” And it is also an invitation: that the rest of the world remembers, too.
Meanwhile a new Pope was elected on the second day of the conclave Thursday, today. Black Smoke emerged from the Sistine Chapel chimney on the first day of voting indicating that no pope had been elected by the College of Cardinals; however on the second day of conclave white smoke emerge indicating a new pope has been elected.
133 cardinals took part in the election.
During their period in the Conclave, the cardinals according to tradition have no access to newspapers, phones, televisions and other communication gadgets.
Materials used for the election are usually burnt immediately after the exercise in line with age long tradition of the Catholic Church.
The new Pope has been revealed as Robert Francis Cardinal Prevost and he will be known as Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
