The "Queen of Pop," Madonna, has taken to social media to urge Pope Leo XIV to visit Gaza and bring his "light to the children before it's too late." The US superstar, known for her powerful interventions on social issues, made the impassioned call as a coalition of global powers, including the UK, EU, and Canada, issued a joint statement warning that "famine is unfolding in front of our eyes" in the besieged territory.
In her post on Instagram, Madonna wrote, "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." Her plea was a direct and emotional appeal to a figure she believes holds a unique position to intervene. "You are the only one of us who cannot be denied entry," she added, a statement that underscores the political and logistical barriers that have hindered humanitarian efforts in the region.
Israel has faced mounting international pressure over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, with UN-backed experts warning of a "worst-case scenario of famine" playing out. While Israel has denied that starvation is occurring, it has accused UN agencies of not picking up aid at the borders and delivering it. Last week, however, the UN's humanitarian agency contradicted this claim, stating that the amount of aid entering Gaza was "far below the minimum required" and that it continued to face "impediments and delays" as it tried to collect aid from Israeli-controlled border zones.
The "Like a Prayer" singer, who recently released her long-rumored remix album "Veronica Electronica," has made impassioned speeches about Gaza on stage since the war began. While performing at London's O2 in 2023, she told fans, "It breaks my heart to see children suffering... But even though our hearts are broken our spirits cannot be broken." She urged her fans to bring "light and love" into the world, both individually and collectively, to "bring peace to the Middle East" and beyond.
In the caption of her latest online post, she noted that it was her son Rocco's birthday and that "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." She made it clear that she was not "pointing fingers, placing blame or taking sides," but rather focusing on the suffering of all, including the mothers of the hostages.
Madonna's comments come as U2 frontman Bono and his bandmates also released a statement, expressing solidarity with the people of Palestine and calling for the release of the remaining hostages. Both artists, through their public platforms, are using their influence to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis and to call for peace and justice in the region.
