Madonna urges Pope Leo to open humanitarian gates of Gaza

Singer Madonna has publicly appealed to Pope Leo XIV to personally intervene in Gaza, urging him to “go and open the humanitarian gates” to save children trapped in the war zone.

In an Instagram post on Monday, Madonna called on the pontiff to bring his “light to the children before it’s too late,” expressing anguish at the suffering she says she cannot bear to witness as a mother. She added that the pope is “the only one who wouldn’t be denied entry” to the enclave.

“We need the humanitarian gates to be fully opened to save these innocent children,” Madonna wrote. “There is no more time. Please say you will go.”

The singer stressed that her appeal was not about taking sides in the Israel-Hamas war, acknowledging the suffering of all families, including those of Israeli hostages. “I pray that they are released as well,” she wrote, framing her message as a plea to prevent children from dying of starvation.

Pope Leo XIV, who has been vocal about the crisis, last month condemned the “barbarity of war” following an Israeli strike on Gaza’s only Catholic church, the Holy Family Church. He urged the international community to respect humanitarian law, protect civilians, and end collective punishment and forced displacement.

In a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the day after the church strike, the pope expressed deep concern for the “dramatic” humanitarian situation in Gaza and renewed his call for a ceasefire. He also emphasized the importance of safeguarding places of worship and the faithful in both Palestinian territories and Israel.

The pope’s position aligns with the Vatican’s long-standing advocacy for dialogue and protection of noncombatants, even as Israel insists that dismantling Hamas’ military infrastructure is essential to ensuring its own citizens’ safety.

From the halls of the Vatican to global concert stages, voices continue to call for urgent humanitarian action in Gaza. Share this story or subscribe to our newsletter for more coverage on Israel and international affairs.