Madonna has implored Pope Leo XIV to visit Gaza, urging him to bring his “light to the children before it’s too late.”
The iconic American pop star shared her plea via social media, suggesting the pontiff is “the only one of us who cannot be denied entry.”
Her intervention arrives as the UK, EU, Australia, Canada, and Japan issued a joint statement acknowledging that “famine is unfolding in front of our eyes” and called for immediate action to “reverse starvation.”
“Most Holy Father, please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it’s too late,” Madonna wrote in her Instagram post. “As a mother, I cannot bear to watch their suffering.”
“The children of the world belong to everyone.”
“You are the only one of us who cannot be denied entry.”
Israel faces increasing international scrutiny regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with UN-backed experts warning last month of a “worst-case scenario of famine” unfolding within the besieged territory.
The Israeli government continues to deny the existence of starvation in Gaza, alleging that UN agencies are failing to collect and deliver aid from border crossings.
Last week, the UN’s humanitarian agency stated that the volume of aid entering Gaza remains “far below the minimum required,” citing ongoing impediments and delays in collecting aid from Israeli-controlled border areas.
The “Like a Prayer” singer added: “We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children.”
She concluded her post with: “There is no more time. Please say you will go. Love, Madonna.”
In July, Pope Leo renewed his calls for a Gaza ceasefire following an Israeli strike that killed three people sheltering in a Catholic church in Gaza City.
According to PA News, he stated: “I appeal to the international community to observe humanitarian law and respect the obligation to protect civilians as well as the prohibition of collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of populations.”
Madonna, who recently released her remix album “Veronica Electronica,” has delivered passionate speeches about Gaza during her recent performances.
During a 2023 performance at London’s O2, she told fans: “It breaks my heart to see children suffering, teenagers suffering, elderly people suffering – all of it is heartbreaking, I’m sure you agree.”
“But even though our hearts are broken our spirits cannot be broken.”
She encouraged fans to bring “light and love” into the world – individually and collectively, through words and actions – to “bring peace to the Middle East” and beyond.
In the caption of her latest online post, she noted that it was her son Rocco’s birthday and “the best gift I can give to him as a mother – is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza.”
The star, who also requested donations to three different organizations, continued: “I am not pointing fingers, placing blame or taking sides.”
“Everyone is suffering. Including the mothers of the hostages. I pray that they are released as well.”
Madonna’s comments align with a recent statement from U2 frontman Bono and his bandmates, outlining their position on the conflict.
While condemning the actions of both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas, the Irish singer stated: “Our band stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine who truly seek a path to peace and coexistence with Israel and with their rightful and legitimate demand for statehood.”
“We stand in solidarity with the remaining hostages and plead that someone rational negotiate their release.”
Hamas killed more than 1,200 people and took 251 hostage in its attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. Israel’s response in Gaza has killed at least 61,599 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry, whose toll the UN considers reliable.
On Tuesday the health ministry said five more people had died from malnutrition, bringing the total number of such deaths to 227 including 103 children.
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