Overview

• Madonna addressed an Instagram letter to Pope Leo XIV on her son Rocco’s birthday, urging him to “bring your light to the children before it’s too late” and fully open humanitarian gates to Gaza’s children
• She emphasized a nonpartisan, maternal motivation and listed World Central Kitchen, Women Wage Peace and Women Of The Sun for donations
• WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus publicly thanked Madonna for her “compassion, solidarity and commitment” to care for Gaza’s children
• The Vatican has not publicly responded to the request and offers no indication that Pope Leo XIV will undertake a visit to the enclave
• Israeli authorities have not signaled whether they would allow papal entry even as UN agencies warn of acute child malnutrition and continuing civilian casualties