Madonna urges Pope Leo to visit Gaza amid 'mass starvation' and humanitarian crisis: 'There is no more time'
Madonna has issued an urgent appeal to Pope Leo, asking him to travel to war-torn Gaza to “bring your light to the children before it’s too late.” In a social media post shared Monday, the music icon said the pontiff is “the only one of us who cannot be denied entry” into the territory, stressing that “there is no more time” as Gaza faces what the World Health Organization describes as man-made “mass starvation.”
Madonna appeals to Pope Leo to visit Gaza, urging urgent action to save starving children as WHO warns of a man-made humanitarian disaster.
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images; Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Raised in the Roman Catholic faith, Madonna said her plea was inspired by her son Rocco’s birthday. “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 wrote.
She emphasized her call was not about assigning blame. “I am not pointing fingers, placing blame or taking sides. Everyone is suffering. I am merely trying to do what I can to keep these children from dying of starvation,” she added.
UNICEF reported last week that more than 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza over the past 22 months, with an average of 28 children — the size of a classroom — killed each day.
Responding to Madonna’s post on X, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed gratitude for her statement. “Thank you, @Madonna, for your compassion, solidarity and commitment to care for everyone caught in the Gaza crisis, especially the children. This is greatly needed. Humanity and peace must prevail,” he wrote.
Since becoming pope in May, Pope Leo has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and criticized Israel’s bombardment of the territory. In July, he voiced deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation, highlighting that civilians face severe hunger, violence, and death. He renewed his appeal for a ceasefire, hostages’ release, and adherence to humanitarian law.
Madonna now joins other prominent musicians speaking out on Gaza. On Sunday, the four members of U2 issued individual statements on the deteriorating humanitarian crisis and the urgent need for action.
Her complete appeal to Pope Leo reads:
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.
We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children.
There is no more time. Please say you will go.
Love, Madonna
