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Pop icon Madonna has issued a direct public appeal to Pope Leo, urging him to personally travel to Gaza to alleviate the suffering of children affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis. In a heartfelt Instagram post published Monday evening, the music superstar addressed the pontiff with the words: “Most Holy Father, Please go to Gaza and bring your light to the children before it’s too late.

The artist, speaking from her perspective as a mother, expressed profound distress at witnessing the deteriorating conditions, stating she could no longer bear to observe the anguish of innocent children. Madonna emphasized the universal responsibility toward children worldwide, noting that the Pope possesses unique diplomatic and spiritual authority that might facilitate access where others are denied.

This plea emerges amidst growing international concern over Gaza’s humanitarian situation. Last month witnessed a rare visit by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Jerusalem’s highest-ranking Catholic official, who toured Gaza alongside Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III. Their visit followed a tragic incident where an Israeli strike on Gaza City’s Holy Family Church—the territory’s last Catholic church—resulted in three Palestinian fatalities and multiple injuries.

Pope Leo initially faced criticism for his measured response to the church attack, which acknowledged casualties without explicitly identifying Israel as responsible. He later attributed the strike to the Israeli military, drawing comparisons to his predecessor Pope Francis’s more outspoken condemnation of Israel’s military actions.

The blockade imposed by Israel since March has severely restricted food and humanitarian assistance entering Gaza, creating widespread starvation and malnutrition. Despite the controversial US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) assuming control of aid distribution in late May, the organization has distributed only a fraction of required supplies. Tragically, at least 1,800 Palestinians have perished while seeking aid, predominantly near heavily militarized GHF locations.

According to Gaza’s Palestinian health ministry, at least 222 Palestinians, including 101 children, have died from starvation since the conflict began.

Madonna carefully framed her appeal as humanitarian rather than political, explicitly stating: “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.” She characterized her outreach as an attempt to leverage spiritual consciousness rather than political discourse, describing the Pope as “a Man of God” who might effect change where politics has failed.

The singer’s relationship with the Catholic Church has been historically complex. Raised Roman Catholic, Madonna has frequently incorporated Catholic imagery into her artistic work, sometimes provocatively. Her Blond Ambition Tour (1990) was condemned by Pope John Paul II as “one of the most satanic shows in the history of humanity,” while her 2006 Confessions tour drew criticism from Cardinal Ersilio Tonini—speaking with Pope Benedict XVI’s approval—as “a blasphemous challenge to the faith.” Most recently, Madonna sparked controversy by sharing an AI-generated image depicting Pope Francis with his arm around her waist.

Adding an intriguing dimension to their relationship, a New York Times investigation revealed in June that Madonna and Pope Leo share a common ancestor six generations removed, making them ninth cousins.

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group, has taken control of the strategic Almuthallath triangle border region, which connects Sudan, Libya, and Egypt. The operation, which began on June 10, saw over 250 military vehicles, including fighters from the RSF and Libyan mercenary groups affiliated with eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, enter the area. According to Ismail Hassan, a local gold miner and trader, the RSF declared control of the region and proceeded to loot markets, taking gold, money, vehicles, and other valuables. The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allied Joint Forces militia were forced to retreat following the attack. The RSF’s success in the lawless border region was reportedly facilitated by logistical support from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Russia, as well as the involvement of Haftar’s Libyan forces. Satellite imagery and flight tracking data revealed that Emirati planes delivered weapons and supplies to the RSF via southeastern Libya’s al-Kufra airport. The UAE’s involvement has further strained its relations with Egypt, which has attempted to mediate between Haftar and SAF leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The RSF’s control of the border region has solidified its hold on western Sudan, particularly Darfur, and has raised concerns about the potential for prolonged conflict and regional instability. The RSF has also declared a parallel government in Nyala, South Darfur, which borders five countries, including Libya and Egypt. Analysts warn that the RSF’s control of border areas could exacerbate Sudan’s war, facilitate weapons smuggling, and enable the illegal extraction of gold and other resources.

In the heart of Sudan’s al-Jazira state lies al-Tekeina, a village that has become a symbol of resilience and self-reliance in the face of war. Before the conflict erupted in April 2023, al-Amin Idriss Mohammed, a 41-year-old businessman, had never held a weapon. Yet, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) advanced, Mohammed and his fellow villagers transformed into a formidable self-taught militia, defending their home against relentless paramilitary attacks.