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It will be refitted with everything needed for fronline care in a war zone and is planned to be deployed in Gaza.
It will be refitted with everything needed for fronline care in a war zone and is planned to be deployed in Gaza.
Popemobile getting a makeover
The late Pope Francis was wellknown for his care for the needy – and now his legacy lives on through one of his popemobiles.
Made into health clinic for Gaza
As per the late Pope’s request, one of the popemobiles are being made into a mobile health clinic. It is to be deployed in Gaza to help children during the war between Hamas and Israel.
Everything needed for frontline care
According to the charity organisation, Caritas, who is overseeing the makeover, the mobile health clinic will be fitted with everything needed for frontline care in a war zone.
Even a small fridge
In a statement, Caritas explained that the mobile health clinic will have bode rapid tests, syringes, suture kits, oxygen supplies, vaccines and even a small fridge to store medicine needed to be kept cold.
The “final wish”
According to the Vatican, the repurposing of the popemobile was Pope Francis’ “final wish for the children of Gaza”. The car is currently in Jerusalem, ready to enter into Gaza when Israel opens a humanitarin corridor.
15,000 children killed
According to Unicef, the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza strip has cost the lives of more than 15,000 children and displaced nearly one million during the 18 months long conflict.
More than a vehicle
The mobile clinic will be run by a team of doctors and have a dedicted driver as well. Peter Brune, Secretary General of Caritas Sweden, said in a statement, that the new clinic will be more than a vehicle – it will act as a message that the world has not forgotten about the children of Gaza.
Removed the bullet-proof glass
The popemobiles are used by The Pope to greet well-wishers during official visits. They are rebuild for the Pope to be able to sit or stand while rolling along. Previously thay have been equipped with bullet-proof glass after an assssination attempt on Pope John Paul II in 1981. Pope Francis had the glass removed, as he felt it distanced him from his followers.