On 12 September 2025, Nobel Peace Prize laureates of the Nobel Women’s Initiative delivered an urgent letter to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, calling for steadfast moral leadership in the face of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They appeal for compassion, an end to violence, and for all faith leaders and global decision-makers to uphold principles of justice, human dignity, and peace.
NWI Open Letter to the Pope on the Gaza Crisis
NWI Open Letter to the Pope on the Gaza Crisis
His Holiness Pope Leo
The Apostolic Palace
12 September 2025
Your Holiness,
We, the undersigned Nobel Peace Prize laureates, write to you with profound concern and a shared commitment to peace, justice, and human dignity. The ongoing genocide and humanitarian crisis in Gaza demands our collective moral voice and action.
As women who have dedicated our lives to advocating for peace and human rights, we are horrified by the relentless suffering of the people of Gaza. Israel's blockade of essential aid, the deliberate denial of food, water, and medicine, and the targeting of civilians have led to a humanitarian catastrophe. As Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who herself endured the recent 12-day Israel-Iran war, has poignantly stated,
“Lives of innocent civilians must not be sacrificed at the behest of those seeking war.”
We echo humanity’s call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the unconditional release of both Palestinian and Israeli hostages, and the removal of all restrictions on humanitarian aid on Gaza and the fast delivery of humanitarian aid to its people. These are urgent human imperatives.
Alongside ensuring accountability for war crimes and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, in accordance with United Nations resolutions. We also urge the international community to center the agency of women in all peace negotiations and reconstruction efforts. Palestinian women, who bear the brunt of this conflict, must be included in all political and peace processes. Their perspectives are essential for a just and lasting peace and end to the occupation.
Your Holiness, we turn to you as a moral leader with unparalleled influence. Today’s world and the major regional and global powers are capable of resolving this escalating and horrifying humanitarian crisis with political will and immediate action. We ask you to use your voice to call for an end to the wars and suffering in Gaza and across the region , to advocate for the protection of civilians, and to support the inclusion of women in peacebuilding efforts. Your leadership can inspire the world to act with compassion and justice.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to peace and justice and look to you for guidance and action in these dire times.
Very Respectfully,
Jody Williams – Nobel Peace Prize laureate 1997
Shirin Ebadi – Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2003
Tawakkol Karman – Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2011
Leymah Gbowee - Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2011
Maria Ressa – Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2021
Oleksandra Matviichuk – Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2022
Narges Mohammadi - Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2023
On behalf of the Nobel Peace Prize laureates of Nobel Women’s Initiative.