Madonna is pleading with Pope Leo to travel to war ravaged Gaza to “bring your light to the children before it’s too late.” In a social media message posted on Monday, the pop icon added the pontiff was “the only one of us who cannot be denied entry” into Gaza, adding that “there is no more time” as the territory is suffering what the World Health Organization called man-made “mass starvation.”

The singer, who was raised Roman Catholic, said the plea was motivated by her 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 crossfire in Gaza,” Madonna wrote.

Madonna added, “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.”

UNICEF, the United Nations’ children’s agency, tweeted last week that “more than 18,000 children have been killed in Gaza over the last 22 months.” And that “in Gaza, an average of 28 children a day — the size of a classroom — have been killed.”

In a post quote tweeting Madonna on X, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the World Health Organization’s president, thanked Madonna for speaking up. “Thank you, @Madonna, for your compassion, solidarity and commitment to care for everyone caught in the #Gaza crisis, especially the children. This is greatly needed. Humanity and peace must prevail,” Ghebreyesus wrote.

Since he became pontiff in May, Pope Leo has continuously called for a ceasefire in Gaza, called for the return of hostages held there and criticized Israel’s bombardment of the territory. “I am following with great concern the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the civilian population is suffering from severe hunger and remains exposed to violence and death. I renew my heartfelt appeal for a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the full respect of humanitarian law,” the pope said in July.

Madonna is the latest prominent figure in the world of music to speak out for Palestinians in Gaza. On Sunday, the four members of Irish rock group U2 released individual statements on the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and the need for action.

Madonna’s full plea to Pope Leo.

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. 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