Madonna urges Pope to visit Gaza and bring hope to its suffering children
Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was elected as the new Pope, replacing Pope Francis. Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
In a heartfelt plea reflecting both her concern as a mother and a public figure, iconic pop star Madonna has called on Pope Leo to travel to Gaza, where a dire humanitarian crisis continues to unfurl.
In an Instagram post shared on Monday, she appealed to the pontiff, urging him to "bring your light to the children before it's too late."
Madonna expressed her inability to watch the suffering of children as the conflict rages on. "As a mother, I cannot bear to watch their suffering. The children of the world belong to everyone," she wrote, emphasising the universal nature of empathy towards innocent victims caught in the crossfire.
Using her platform to advocate for humanitarian aid, Madonna highlighted the urgent need for change, stating, "Politics cannot affect (sic) change. Only consciousness can. Therefore, I am reaching out to a Man of God."
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In a poignant twist, she revealed that her request coincides with her son Rocco's birthday, framing it as a personal gesture of love. "I feel 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," she shared.
In addition to the plight of Palestinian children, Madonna's message included a call for compassion across the conflict. She specifically mentioned the hostages held by Hamas since the outbreak of war on October 7, 2023, affirming her belief that "everyone is suffering," including the mothers of those abducted. "I pray that they are released as well," she added, echoing a universal hope for peace and safety in a tumultuous region.
She said that she is "not pointing fingers, placing blame or taking sides."
As the situation in Gaza deteriorates, her call to action challenges world leaders and influencers to step beyond borders and ideologies. With urgency in her voice, she invites others to join her in advocating for the voiceless: the innocent children affected by war.
As of 30 July 2025, over 63,000 people (61,805 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis have been reported killed in the Gaza war according to the Gaza Health Ministry and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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