Madonna calls on Pope Leo to visit Gaza '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 wrote in an Instagram post on Monday.
The Vatican has yet to comment on Madonna's post.
MORE: Human Rights Watch says Israel committing war crimes in alleged killings of Gazans at aid sites
Pope Leo XIV, who began his papacy in May, is the first American-born pope and the 267th pope of the Catholic Church.
He has been outspoken about the ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza. Last week, during a Mass for the Jubilee of Young People in Rome, Pope Leo expressed solidarity for the children who are suffering as a result of Israel's war with Hamas.
"In communion with Christ, our peace and hope for the world, we are closer than ever to young people who suffer the most serious evils which are caused by other human beings. We are with the young people of Gaza," he said.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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Chicago Tribune
an hour ago
- Chicago Tribune
Daily Horoscope for August 18, 2025
General Daily Insight for August 18, 2025 Our feelings may need to have a say today, but they shouldn't be the only voices we consider. As insightful Mercury sextiles decisive Mars at 1:33 am EDT, we'll probably want to take action instead of talking in circles indefinitely. This might step on some toes. As the emotional Moon moves into sensitive Cancer and pushes at unsympathetic Saturn, we could feel the pain! We'll have to be careful to separate discomfort that should pass from problems that genuinely must be addressed. Aries March 21 – April 19 Feeling isolated is presently possible. There's a chance that your own insecurities are preventing you from connecting with others. Taking the initiative to express yourself could go better than you think as articulate Mercury in your individualistic 5th house aligns with intrepid Mars in your relationship sector. Keep in mind that an audience member who pushes back against some of the things you say isn't necessarily out to get you. A little give and take may simply be part of a normal interaction! Taurus April 20 – May 20 Attempting to carry on a conversation could currently be frustrating because there's a key piece of information you can't or don't want to divulge. Maybe you're better off not putting yourself in that position. If you avoid other people and stick to your own space, you have the potential to get a lot done while busy Mercury in your domestic sector supports energetic Mars in your productivity zone. No matter what you're dealing with, building a strong personal foundation should boost your chances of success! Gemini May 21 – June 20 Any current financial insecurities could be amped up. In particular, gazing enviously at peers who seemingly have more may set you off. Of course, you can't control the circumstances of others. On the other hand, as verbal Mercury in your communication sector encourages bold Mars in your 5th House of Self-Expression, you do have the power to choose what you share. Focus on any positive things going on in your life, and your audience will probably be happy enough to turn their attention there. Cancer June 21 – July 22 Clashing with an authority figure is a present risk. Whether this person is actively in your life or merely an internalized voice in your head, you may feel like they're judging you harshly. As clever Mercury in your resource zone collaborates with determined Mars in your 4th House of Foundations, doing everything possible to build up whatever makes you personally secure would be a wise move. When you have the ability to meet your own needs, limitations imposed by others should matter less. Leo July 23 – August 22 Being too careful with your words has the potential to become a trap. You may want to make every detail absolutely perfect so that no one will have a right to get mad at you. At some point, though, you have to do the best you can and live with whatever happens next. While intelligent Mercury in your sign engages with incisive Mars in your communication realm, your audience might actually prefer a more direct approach. If the truth's on your side, that's enough! Virgo August 23 – September 22 Asking your social network for advice may now be more frustrating than helpful. Be aware of any parts of your problem that you're reluctant to be open about, especially if the abbreviated version of your story doesn't quite make sense without those details. While brilliant Mercury in your intuitive 12th house aligns with confident Mars in your self-worth sector, you might already know the answer. Whether or not it's what you wanted to hear, trusting your own judgment will be crucial! Libra September 23 – October 22 You're likely to be in the good graces of your broader social network at this time. However, it could weigh on you that a significant person isn't sharing the positive vibes. 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Boston Globe
4 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for local homeless people, invites them to lunch at summer villa
In his homily, Leo celebrated the 'fire of charity' that had brought them together. Advertisement 'And I encourage you not to distinguish between those who assist and those who are assisted, between those who seem to give and those who seem to receive, between those who appear poor and those who feel they have something to offer in terms of time, skills, and help,' he said. In the church, he said, everyone is poor and precious, and all share the same dignity. Leo, the former Robert Prevost, spent most of his adult life working with Advertisement The luncheon was held at the Local caterers provided a menu of lasagna, eggplant parmesan, and roast veal. For dessert, the menu called for fruit salad and sweets named for the pope, 'Dolce Leone.' Guests at Leo's table included Rosabal Leon, a Peruvian refugee who has been in Italy for a few months, along with her husband and two children. One of his other luncheon companions was an 85-year-old Roman, Gabriella Oliveiro, who lives on her own, organizers said. Leo is expected to wrap up his vacation Tuesday and return to the Vatican, but there are indications he plans to use the Castel Gandolfo retreat regularly as an escape from Rome, resuming the tradition that Pope Francis had eschewed in favor of staycations at the Vatican. Leo's older brother, John Prevost, told NBC's Chicago affiliate that the pope found the getaway relaxing and had actually hoped to read a book during his vacation — the pope likes legal thrillers — but hadn't found the time. He did, however, make use of the estate's tennis court and swimming pool, he said. Prevost, who speaks daily with the pope to compare notes on the New York Times daily Wordle puzzle, said he understood the thing Leo missed most about being pope was not being able to drive. Advertisement 'Driving to him is totally relaxing,' Prevost said, adding that when they were together, his little brother would always insist on driving himself. 'Absolutely, because otherwise then he would criticize my driving,' Prevost said, chuckling. In the interview, Prevost revealed the pope's favorite pizza — pepperoni — and candy: Peeps.
San Francisco Chronicle
7 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Merola Grand Finale 2025 finds the right mix of comedy, pathos and vocal brilliance
Nineteen young singers took their places onstage of the War Memorial Opera House, filling the hall with dazzling arias, duets and ensembles during the celebratory Merola Grand Finale. The concert, on Saturday, Aug. 16, capped eight weeks of intensive training for the Merola Opera Program's 2025 class, a proving ground for singers vying for spots in San Francisco Opera's prestigious Adler Fellowship. And what was on display was a parade of promise. The evening's program had a fine balance among pathos, comedy and tragedy. The opening chorus 'Paris! Entrons dans la fournaise' (Paris! Let's enter the furnace), from Jacques Offenbach's 'La vie Parisienne,' sparkled, and set the tone for the comic numbers that followed. Mezzo-soprano Meg Brilleslyper led off from there, with a saucy, alluring rendition of 'Que j'aime les militaires' (How I love the soldiers), from the same composer's 'La Grande Duchesse de Gerolstein' (The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein). This year's Merola cohort included a seemingly endless procession of outstanding lower men's voices, and three of them — Joeavian Rivera, Justice Yates and Wanchun Liang — starred in 'Don Basilio…cosa veggo! Buona sera, mio signore' (Don Basilio…what do I see! Good evening, my lord), from Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville,' along with mezzo-soprano Ariana Maubach and tenor Minghao Liu. Liang's big, dark-toned voice shone in an aria from Puccini's 'Gianni Schicchi,' in which the title character schemes to steal an inheritance from the rightful heirs, while Baritone Gabriel Natal Báez and soprano Eva Rae Martinez gave a dramatically alert and vocally sumptuous rendition of a duet from Donizetti's 'Lucia di Lammermoor.' Baritone Benjamin Dickerson sang vividly in Schubert's song 'Erlkönig' (Elf-King, performed in Hector Berlioz's orchestral arrangement), though he could have more strongly differentiated the voices of the different characters. Bass John Mburu was moving and magnificent in 'Old Man River,' and collaborated with Rivera in a hilarious duet from Donizetti's 'Don Pasquale.' Higher voices got their due as well. Chea Kang's characterful soprano and mesmerizing presence made her an enchanting Sandman in an aria from Engelbert Humperdinck's 'Hansel und Gretel.' Soprano Sofia Gotch and Brilleslyper charmed in the following duet 'Abends will ich schlafen gehn' (When I go to sleep at night). Minghao Liu, who has a bright, slightly dry, light tenor, securely nailed all of the high Cs in 'Ah, mes amis…Pour mon âme' (Ah, my friends…For my soul) from Donizetti's 'Daughter of the Regiment.' Charlotte Siegel sang 'Io son l'umile ancella' (I am the humble handmaid), from Francesco Cilea's 'Adriana Lecouvreur,' with perhaps the most sumptuous soprano I've ever heard from such a young singer. In the only Baroque work on the program, mezzos Anna Maria Vacca and Sadie Cheslak were poised and affecting in a duet from Handel's 'Giulio Cesare.' Soprano Ariane Cossette and tenor Jin Yu gave an impassioned, rich-voiced performance of 'Va! Je t'ai pardonné…Nuit d'hyménée' (Go! I have forgiven night) from Charles Gounod's 'Roméo et Juliette.' Soprano Alexa Frankian, ear-catching as a member of the quartet from Verdi's 'Falstaff,' also gave an ardent performance of 'Addio, mio dolce amor' (Farewell, my sweet love), from the rarity 'Edgar,' showing off the special vocal shine that Puccini needs. Elio Bucky, himself a 2025 Merola artist, directed with suave panache, giving each singer the opportunity to shine dramatically as well as vocally. Kelly Kuo conducted the wide range of styles with aplomb, ideally supporting the singers.
