Madonna has called on Pope Leo XIV to travel to Gaza, appealing for him to “bring [his] light to the children before it’s too late.” The singer posted her request on Instagram, describing the Pope as “the only one of us who cannot be denied entry.”
Her message came as the United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, Canada and Japan issued a joint statement warning that “famine is unfolding in front of our eyes” and urging immediate measures to “reverse starvation” in the territory.
Madonna, who has spoken publicly about the conflict in Gaza during her concerts, said she could not “bear to watch [the children’s] suffering” and called for the “humanitarian gates” to be fully opened to allow aid to enter. She emphasised that “the children of the world belong to everyone” and urged urgent action to save lives.
Israel has rejected claims of starvation in Gaza, accusing UN agencies of failing to collect and deliver aid from Israeli-controlled border crossings. The UN’s humanitarian agency has reported that the volume of aid entering Gaza remains “far below the minimum required” and continues to face delays and access restrictions.
In July, Pope Leo XIV renewed his call for a ceasefire in Gaza after three civilians sheltering in a Catholic church were killed in an Israeli airstrike. He urged the international community to observe humanitarian law, protect civilians, and refrain from collective punishment, indiscriminate force and forced displacement.
Madonna noted in her post that it was her son Rocco’s birthday and described her appeal as “the best gift I can give to him as a mother.” She also requested donations to three organisations assisting civilians in Gaza and stressed that she was “not pointing fingers, placing blame or taking sides,” adding that she prayed for the release of hostages held in Gaza.