WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Madonna has called on Pope Leo to make a humanitarian visit to Gaza to help save starving Palestinian children, saying "there is no more time" to act.

The American superstar, who was raised Roman Catholic, appealed directly to the pontiff in an August 11 Instagram post.

"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."

Madonna said she was reaching out to the pope because she believes political solutions alone are insufficient.

"Politics cannot affect change. Only consciousness can," she wrote.

Her plea was timed ...