VATICAN CITY, VATICAN—In a grand gesture meant to bridge the gap between faith and secular art, Pope Leo XIV welcomed a star-studded gathering of Hollywood and international cinema luminaries to the Vatican on Saturday, urging the actors and filmmakers to use their craft as a “vehicle of hope” and a tool for challenging global injustice.
The special audience, held in the frescoed Clementine Hall, saw the first American-born Pope greet dozens of major figures, including Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee, Greta Gerwig, and Viggo Mortensen, solidifying the Holy See’s desire to actively engage with the world of culture.
A Pope Who Grew Up With Hollywood
The atmosphere was electric as Pope Leo XIV, known for his down-to-earth style and Chicago roots, admitted the significance of the meeting, acknowledging that he “grew up in the heyday of Hollywood.” Earlier in the week, the Vatican had even revealed his four favorite films: It’s a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, Ordinary People, and Life Is Beautiful.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV praised cinema as “a popular art in the noblest sense,” and challenged the gathered artists to embrace a higher purpose:
“When cinema is authentic, it does not merely console, but challenges… It articulates the questions that dwell within us, and sometimes, even provokes tears that we didn’t know we needed to shed.”
The Pontiff specifically urged them not to shy away from difficult subjects: “Do not be afraid to confront the world’s wounds. Violence, poverty, exile, loneliness, addiction and forgotten wars are issues that need to be acknowledged and narrated.”
Celebrity Awe and A Knicks Jersey
The stars, many visibly awestruck by the setting and the Pontiff, waited nearly an hour after the speech to meet and exchange greetings with Pope Leo XIV, who took time to chat amiably with each participant—a rare move for large audiences.
- Cate Blanchett, an Australian actress who works with the UN refugee agency, praised the Pope’s message: “Filmmaking is about entertainment, but it’s about including voices that are often marginalized and not shy away from the pain and complexity that we’re all living through right now.”
- Spike Lee, a die-hard New York Knicks fan, presented the Chicago-born Pope with a custom Knicks jersey bearing the number 14 and the name “Pope Leo” on the back. The director explained that the number referenced the Pope’s regnal name, Leo XIV.
- Director Gus Van Sant simply said he liked the Pope’s “vibe,” noting his defense of “slow cinema” and his call not to see the moving image “just in terms of algorithms.”
Defending the Fading Cinema
Drawing strong applause, the Pope also took a moment to deliver a “love letter” to the ailing film industry, warning that “cinemas are experiencing a troubling decline” as local theaters disappear from neighborhoods.
“I urge institutions not to give up, but to co-operate in affirming the social and cultural value of this activity,” he said, emphasizing that “sitting in the dark with strangers” is a unique way for people to reconnect to what unites them.
The star-studded event, organized by the Vatican’s culture ministry, successfully brought the spiritual and secular worlds together, sending a clear message that the Catholic Church views cinema not just as entertainment, but as a crucial force for promoting human values.