Madonna Urges Pope Leo to Visit Gaza 'Before It's Too Late'
Posting on Instagram Monday, the singer—who was raised Roman Catholic—wrote:
'Most Holy Father. Please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it's too late. 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.'
Madonna stressed her belief that 'politics cannot affect change' but 'consciousness can,' adding that her request coincided with her son Rocco's birthday. 'The best gift I could give him is to ask everyone to do what they can to help save the innocent children caught in the crossfire in Gaza,' she said.
Pope's stance on Gaza conflict
Since his papacy began in May, Pope Leo has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, repeatedly calling for the protection of civilians. In July, he said:
'I am following with great concern the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the civilian population is suffering from severe hunger and remains exposed to violence and death.'
The pontiff has urged an immediate ceasefire, echoing calls from global humanitarian agencies.
Mounting child death toll
According to UNICEF, more than 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza since October 2023—an average of 28 deaths per day. An Israeli blockade on aid has led the World Health Organization (WHO) to describe the situation as 'man-made mass starvation.'
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that at least 222 people, including 101 children, have died from malnutrition since the war began.
'This is no longer a looming hunger crisis – this is starvation, pure and simple,' said Ramesh Rajasingham, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday.
Madonna: 'Not pointing fingers'
Madonna emphasized that her appeal was humanitarian, not political:
'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.'
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus thanked the singer for her 'compassion, solidarity and commitment to care for everyone caught in the Gaza crisis, especially the children.'
Uncertain access for pope
It is unclear whether Israel's government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would permit Pope Leo to enter Gaza. In a rare exception last July, two church leaders were allowed in after Israel struck Gaza's sole Catholic church, killing three people and wounding others. The church had been sheltering members of Gaza's small Christian community.
Since then, the starvation crisis has worsened, with haunting images of severely malnourished children drawing global alarm.
Madonna closed her appeal with a final plea:
'We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children. There is no more time. Please say you will go.'
The singer's call underscores a growing wave of condemnation of the 22-month war and its devastating humanitarian toll, straining Israel's relations with some of its closest allies.
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