POP SINGER MADONNA has made a heartfelt appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to visit Gaza “before it’s too late” amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

In a post shared on Instagram and X, Madonna, who was raised Catholic, addressed the new pontiff directly, asking him to travel to Gaza.

“Most Holy Father, please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it’s too late,” the singer said.

“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.”

In her statement, posted on the birthday of her son Rocco, Madonna also said: “Politics cannot affect change. Only consciousness can. Therefore I am reaching out to a Man of God.”

She asked her followers to do what they can to help “save these innocent children” in Gaza.

“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,” she said.

Politics Cannot affect Change.
Only consciousness Can. Therefore I am Reaching out to a Man of God.

Today is my 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… pic.twitter.com/y2B3BsXAMt

— Madonna (@Madonna) August 11, 2025

In Gaza, daily assaults by Israeli forces have compounded on severe shortages of food and medicine, causing a worsening humanitarian crisis.

UNICEF reports that more than 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza since October 2023, with an average of 28 children dying each day.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has described the situation as “man-made mass starvation,” with over 222 people, including 101 children, having died from malnutrition since the war began.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus publicly thanked Madonna for her statement to the pope.

“Humanity and peace must prevail. Thank you, Madonna, for your compassion, solidarity and commitment to care for everyone caught in the Gaza crisis, especially the children,” Ghebreyesus said

“This is greatly needed.” 

Since the start of his papacy in May, Pope Leo XIV has been vocal about the conflict, expressing deep concern for the suffering civilians in Gaza.

“We are with the young people of Gaza,” the pope recently stated during a mass in Rome.

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, we are with the young people of Ukraine, with those of every land…

— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) August 3, 2025

Whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government would grant the pope entry to the enclave is not certain, but Madonna’s appeal underlines growing condemnation of Israel’s attacks on the region.

In her post, Madonna urged donations to humanitarian groups such as the World Central Kitchen and emphasised the need to fully open humanitarian gates to save the innocent children.

“I feel the best gift I can give to [Rocco] 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 concluded.

The Vatican has yet to respond to Madonna’s request.