Madonna urges the Pope to go to Gaza: "Bring your light to the children before it's too late"

Madonna has urged Pope Leo XIV to travel to Gaza and help "innocent children caught in the crossfire" amid the humanitarian crisis.

In a statement posted across her social media last night, the 'Like A Prayer' singer implored the pontiff "bring your light" to the children of Gaza "before it's too late."

"As a mother, I cannot bear to watch their suffering," Madonna wrote.

"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."

The Catholic-raised pop star wrote in the post's caption that she was reaching out to "a Man of God" because "Politics Cannot affect Change. Only consciousness Can."

Madonna explained she was prompted to appeal to the pontiff after her son'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," Madonna wrote.

"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."

Madonna suggested fans join her in donating to World Central Kitchen, Women Wage Peace and Women of the Sun.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organisation, responded to Madonna for her message in a post on X.

"Thank you, Madonna, for your compassion, solidarity and commitment to care for everyone caught in the Gaza crisis, especially the children," Ghebreyesus wrote.

"This is greatly needed. Humanity and peace must prevail."

Pope Leo has been outspoken about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, having called for a ceasefire in one of his first major speeches as pope and frequently issuing prayers for those affected by starvation in Gaza.

While Pope Leo has yet to visit Gaza personally, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa (the highest-ranking Catholic official in Jerusalem) travelled to the region last month following Israel's strike on the last Catholic church in Gaza.

Last week, the Pope spoke out in solidarity for the children suffering in Gaza during a Mass for the Jubilee of Young People 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," said Pope Leo at the Mass.

"We are with the young people of Gaza."

At the time of writing, the Vatican has yet to comment on Madonna's post.

Read the full statement from Madonna below:

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