Pop icon Madonna advocates for Pope's visit to Gaza, emphasizing the urgency due to current circumstances.
In a heartfelt plea, pop icon Madonna has called upon Pope Leo XIV to visit Gaza and help bring relief to the children caught in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. The appeal, made on social media on Monday, came on the occasion of her son Rocco's 25th birthday.
Madonna, moved by the plight of the children in Gaza, emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating, "Please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it's too late." She urged for humanitarian gates to be fully opened to prevent starvation and death.
The crisis in Gaza stems from a blockade and military operations, which have displaced most of the 2 million Palestinians living there and pushed the territory towards famine. Reports suggest that at least 227 Palestinians, including over 100 children, have died from starvation or malnutrition, and the death toll in Gaza has reached over 61,000 since October 2023.
The pop star, who has expressed concern for the mothers of the hostages in Gaza, made it clear that she was not taking sides politically but focusing on the children’s humanitarian needs. She highlighted that the Pope, with his unique ability to gain access to the besieged Gaza Strip, could make a significant difference.
The Israeli government, however, has denied a famine is taking place in Gaza and has accused Hamas of causing shortages by stealing aid and trying to control food distribution. The Israeli air and ground offensive was sparked by Hamas' attack into Israel on October 7, 2023.
The United Nations has reported that more than 5,000 children were diagnosed with malnutrition in May in Gaza, though this is likely an undercount. Doctors struggle to treat the children due to a lack of supplies, according to the UN.
Madonna's appeal adds to growing international calls for the Catholic Church and Western leaders to act more decisively in addressing the crisis in Gaza. The Pope himself has recently renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Other Hollywood stars have also expressed their views regarding the situation in Gaza. As the crisis continues, the world watches and hopes for a peaceful resolution and an end to the suffering of the children in Gaza.
[1] BBC News, "Madonna calls for Pope to visit Gaza," August 12-13, 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Madonna urges Pope to visit Gaza amid humanitarian crisis," August 12-13, 2025. [3] CNN, "Madonna pleads with Pope to visit Gaza," August 12-13, 2025. [4] Amnesty International, "Gaza: Urgent intervention needed to open humanitarian aid corridors," August 12-13, 2025.
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