VEHICLE OF HOPE
Brand
CARITAS
Entrant Agency
DIFFER
Category
PR
Award
Gold
Festival & Year
Cannes Lions (2026)
Case Study Details
As humanitarian aid into Gaza remained heavily restricted, children were among the most vulnerable victims of the healthcare crisis, with limited access to medical treatment and emergency support. Caritas recognised that beyond raising awareness, the situation demanded a powerful symbol capable of cutting through political deadlock and mobilising global attention around humanitarian access.
Created by Differ for Caritas, Vehicle of Hope proposed transforming Pope Francis’ former popemobile into a fully operational mobile children’s clinic for Gaza. The idea turned one of the world’s most recognisable religious symbols into a practical humanitarian tool, carrying both emotional and political resonance. Pope Francis personally blessed the initiative during the final months of his life, giving the project global moral significance and reinforcing its message of compassion, dignity and care.
The initiative was launched internationally through The New York Times one week after Pope Francis’ funeral, generating immediate worldwide attention. In November 2025, the converted popemobile was unveiled to international media in Bethlehem as a functioning mobile clinic equipped to deliver frontline healthcare for children. Developed with support from Differ, Forever Sustainable and production company Colony, the project combined advocacy, design and humanitarian logistics into a single highly symbolic intervention.
Vehicle of Hope generated an estimated 70 billion earned media impressions globally and helped reignite international discussion around humanitarian aid access to Gaza. Beyond awareness, the initiative created tangible impact: the mobile clinic is expected to treat up to 200 children per day, while inspiring other NGOs to commit to building seven additional mobile healthcare units based on the same model.
AWARDS
Cannes Lions 2026
- Lions Health and United Nations Foundation Grand Prix For Good
https://www.llllitl.fr/2026/06/cannes-lions-2026-grand-prix/
- Shortlisted in the Dan Wieden Titanium category
https://www.llllitl.fr/2026/06/cannes-lions-2026-titanium/
D&AD 2026
- 2 Yellow Pencils in PR
https://www.llllitl.fr/2026/05/d-and-ad-2026-black-white-pencils/
CREDITS
Client: Caritas Sweden.
Creative Agency: Differ.
Sustainability Partner: Forever Sustainable.
Production Company: Colony.
Presentation Board
VEHIC
OF HO
TURNING POPE FRANCIS’S POPEMOBILE INTO
A MOBILE CLINIC FOR THE CHILDREN OF GAZA
EARNED REACH
70 BILLION |
5600 articles, 2900 TV & radio segments, 109 000 mentions,
Published in 103 countries, Earned media value $64am,
Social echo: 64600, Engagement: 1.71M.
Blessed by Pope Francis)and Pope Leo)XIV
BACKGROUND
Caritas runs ten healthcare centers in Gaza, but most
medicines and equipment needed are not allowed into
Gaza by Israel. Children suffer from preventable and
treatable diseases. Caritas wanted to draw the-world’s
attention to the fact that humanitarian aid is being
blocked, and that children are the hardest hit. -
IDEA
Converting Pope Francis’s popemobile into a mobile «
clinic for children in Gaza. Pope Francis blessed
the initiative before his death in April 2025.
The New York Times made the initiative official one
week after his funeral, generating massive media
coverage. The converted popemobile was presented to
international press in Bethlehem in November 2025,
receiving a second wave of global media attention.
200 children per day will receive vaccines and
medication in the seat used by Pope Francis.
RESULT
With an earned reach of 70 billion, the Vehicle Hope
has made the severely restricted humanitarian access
to Gaza visible worldwide. The Vehicle of Hope has
been blessed by two Popes. It has since its launch
inspired other NGOs to build seven more mobile
clinics. All still awaiting permission to enter Gaza.
(May 2025-March 2026. Source: Meltwater
