Pope Francis’ Vehicle of Hope has been denied permission to enter Gaza by Israeli authorities, according to a Catholic aid organisation.
The former Pope had wished for his popemobile, that was used during his visit to Bethlehem in 2014, to be converted into a mobile medical center for the children of Gaza, and Caritas Sweden made this happen by adapting his vehicle last year.
However, Swedish Cardinal, Anders Arborelius said the vehicle hasn't been moved since then and remains parked near Manger Square waiting for permission to enter.
“Despite repeated appeals, access continues to be denied," he added.
Arborelius recalled the moment the vehicle was unveiled during a visit to the holy land.
“In November last year, I travelled to Bethlehem to inaugurate this Vehicle of Hope,” he said. "In the town where Christ was born, where God chose not to remain distant from human suffering but to enter it, we blessed a modest instrument of healing."
He said he “was reminded then of Pope Francis's words: 'Children are not numbers. They are faces, names, and stories. And each one matters.' "
The Bishop of Stockholm revealed that the children he met during his visit wore the marks of “war, injury, fear, loss and despair” on their faces, later adding that “faith cannot remain abstract when suffering stands before us. It must become mercy”.
He said medical teams stand prepared to deal with what he described as a “collapse of basic healthcare” that has caused minor injuries to become “life threatening”.
Cardinal Arborelius condemned the Israeli authorities and said: “To deny medical care to children is to cross a moral line that should disturb us all. No political objective, no strategic hesitation, and no appeal to necessity can finally absolve us from the duty to protect innocent life.”
He concluded his statement by appealing to those with authority to act.
“Allow this vehicle to enter Gaza. Let it serve the children who need care. Let it be a sign that even now, mercy has not been silenced, and that humanity has not entirely surrendered to indifference.
“History will judge us by how we respond to the suffering of children in Gaza and elsewhere. But before history judges us, we must answer to something deeper: the call of conscience, and for believers the call of God, who asks whether we were able to recognise the dignity of every human life when it was most wounded and most defenceless.”
This statement has come shortly after the Israeli Prime Minister met Christian soldiers serving in the IDF to praise them for their “incredible work” and draw attention to the thriving Christian community in Israel.
Premier Christian News has previously reported that COGAT, the Israeli government agency responsible for coordinating the entry of aid into the enclave, declined to comment when asked about the request.
Premier has approached Israeli authorities for comment.