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Madonna appeals to Pope Leo XIV to help Gaza’s starving children
On her son’s birthday, the superstar asks the pontiff to open 'humanitarian gates' before it’s too late
- PUBLISHED: Wed 13 Aug 2025, 12:32 PM
Pop icon Madonna has made a direct appeal to Pope Leo XIV, urging him to personally visit Gaza in an effort to help children caught in the humanitarian crisis.
Posting on social media Monday — the same day her son Rocco turned 25 — the 66-year-old superstar addressed the pontiff with a heartfelt plea.
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“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,” Madonna wrote.
Politics Cannot affect Change.
— Madonna (@Madonna) August 11, 2025
Only consciousness Can. Therefore I am Reaching out to a Man of God.
Today is my Son Roccoâs 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
She continued: “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.”
Madonna stressed that her message was not political, adding:
“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. I am merely trying to do what I can to keep these children from dying of starvation.”
Her post comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza grows increasingly dire. In May, the United Nations reported that over 5,000 children in the territory had been diagnosed with malnutrition — a figure likely to be an undercount. Doctors have been struggling to treat young patients as medical supplies run dangerously low.
The pope has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, urging the international community to uphold humanitarian law and protect civilians.
