About Vehicle of Hope.

The Vehicle of Hope

In a letter to the Cardinal of Stockholm, Bishop Anders Arborelius, in November 2024, Pope Francis gave his approval for the Popemobile, used during his 2014 visit to Bethlehem, to be transformed into a mobile clinic for children in war zones.

Born of that vision, the Vehicle of Hope is a pediatric mobile health unit designed to deliver lifesaving care to children, those displaced and wounded by the horrors of war. In a time when hospitals lie in ruins and humanitarian access is critically limited, this vehicle offers not only medicine and care, but also hope.

The initiative is led by Caritas Sweden, in cooperation with Caritas Jerusalem. It involves converting the Popemobile into a functioning mobile health clinic.

The clinic is equipped with standard medical tools, including diagnostic instruments, oxygen supply, vaccines, antibiotics, and a cold-chain refrigerator. It is staffed by a pediatrician and supported by over 100 Caritas personnel operating in Gaza, enabling outreach to children in areas where fixed healthcare facilities are no longer accessible.

The work of Caritas Jerusalem

Caritas Jerusalem was established in 1967 and is part of the global Caritas Internationalis network. It is a Catholic humanitarian organization dedicated to serving the poor and vulnerable across the Holy Land. Caritas Jerusalem provides healthcare, education, social services, and emergency relief, with a focus on supporting communities affected by poverty, conflict, and occupation. Its work spans across the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, regardless of religion or background.

In a remarkable display of dedication and resilience, Caritas Jerusalem has a crucial mission to provide a total of 14 medical teams across the Gaza Strip. Of these, twelve are stationed in the southern regions of Gaza, while two are actively working in Gaza City. This strategic distribution is designed to maximize the reach of primary health care services throughout the Strip.

As of June 2025, nearly every child in Gaza has been displaced.

• 15,600+ children have been killed

• 17,000 are unaccompanied or separated from family

• Up to 21,000 are missing—many under rubble, detained, or in mass graves

• 96% of children fear they will die soon; nearly half say they would rather not go on living

Caritas Jerusalem is preparing to deploy additional mobile clinics to strengthen its ongoing humanitarian response in Gaza. These units will complement existing medical efforts by expanding access to essential healthcare for vulnerable populations, particularly in areas where fixed facilities are no longer operational.

The fleet is a direct, practical response to the nearly total collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system. It is also a statement: that in war, humanitarian principles must prevail. The initiative reminds us that every child has the right to life, protection, and medical care, rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Ready to serve

Caritas Internationalis is calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire.

Caritas Jerusalem’s dedication to both humanitarian aid and peace advocacy exemplifies a holistic approach to crisis intervention—addressing urgent medical needs while working toward long-term stability and security.

In a world where stories of suffering are often silenced, this mission insists that children’s voices be heard and healed.

The Vehicle of Hope stands ready.

By supporting this mission, you help deliver medical care to where it's needed most. And most importantly - your help reminds Gaza’s children that they are not forgotten.