Madonna has urged Pope Leo XIV to make a visit to Gaza amid the ongoing war.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, the Queen of Pop issued an emotional plea to the leader of the Catholic Church to travel to the Middle East in a bid to support the "innocent children" of the city.

"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," she wrote. "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."

In the accompanying caption, Madonna noted that she was inspired to share the post because it was her son Rocco Ritchie's 25th birthday.

The Material Girl star insisted she wasn't "taking sides" over the conflict and also called for the release of the Israeli hostages captured by Hamas when the war began on 7 October 2023.

"Politics Cannot affect Change. Only consciousness Can. Therefore I am Reaching out to a Man of God (sic)," the 66-year-old continued. "Today is my 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. I am not pointing fingers, placing blame or taking sides. Everyone is suffering. Including the mothers of the hostages. I pray that they are released as well. I am merely trying to do what I can to keep these children from dying of starvation."

Elsewhere in her message, Madonna shared that she has made donations to organisations including World Central Kitchen, Women Wage Peace, and Women of the Sun.

Representatives for The Vatican have not yet responded to the Hung Up hitmaker's post.

However, Pope Leo has spoken out about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and last week, expressed concern for the children and young people who are impacted by the Israel-Hamas war during a mass held in Rome.

Leo, the first America-born Pope, began his papacy in May.

Meanwhile, his predecessor, Pope Francis, maintained contact with the congregation at the only Catholic Church in Gaza City on a daily basis prior to his death in April.