The Vatican shared the highlight with Hollywood on Saturday as Pope Leo XIV hosted dozens of stars, together with Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee and Monica Bellucci for a particular viewers celebrating the ability of cinema.
The occasion, organized by the Vatican’s tradition ministry, befell in a frescoed Vatican viewers corridor. Leo known as on the attending artists to make use of their artwork to incorporate marginalized voices and praised movie to console and problem audiences.
“It articulates the questions that dwell within us, and sometimes, even provokes tears that we did not know we needed to express,” Leo mentioned.
The primary U.S.-born pope additionally acknowledged the monetary difficulties going through film theaters. He mentioned establishments mustn’t surrender, however “cooperate in affirming the social and cultural value” of theaters, drawing applause from the viewers.
Pope Leo XIV poses with actors, filmmakers, administrators, and scriptwriters throughout an viewers on the Clementine Corridor on November 15, 2025 in Vatican Metropolis.
Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media by way of Vatican Pool / Getty Photographs
“His speech was beautiful and very inspiring, about hope and our work in cinema. We’re glad we came,” mentioned Judd Apatow, who attended the viewers along with his spouse and fellow Hollywood star Leslie Mann.
“It was so inspiring,” Mann added.
Leo spent almost an hour greeting friends and making dialog with every attendee. Lee, a basketball lover, gifted the pontiff a New York Knicks jersey that featured the No. 14 and Leo’s title on the again. Leo could also be a identified Chicago Bulls fan, however Lee mentioned he advised the pope that the Knicks’ present roster consists of three gamers from Villanova College, the Holy Father’s alma mater. Lee mentioned Leo’s phrases about movie had been “very, very moving.”
Pope Francis held comparable audiences with artists and comedians. The audiences are a part of the Vatican’s efforts to achieve out past the Catholic Church to have interaction with the secular world.
Pope Leo XIV greets Spike Lee throughout an viewers on the Clementine Corridor of the Apostolic Palace on November 15, 2025 in Vatican Metropolis.
Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media by way of Vatican Pool / Getty Photographs / Mario Tomassetti
A pope who “grew up with cinema”
Leo is the primary American-born Pope and grew up throughout Hollywood’s heyday. Earlier this week, he listed his 4 favourite motion pictures: “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Sound of Music,” “Ordinary People,” and “Life Is Beautiful,” all classics that remember love and hope within the face of darkness. Leo may also be the topic of his personal film, a documentary from the Vatican that traces his life from Chicago to St. Peter’s.
“He is a pope who grew up with television and grew up with cinema, and it’s a natural (medium) to tell his story,” mentioned Monsignor Paul Tighe, the Vatican’s tradition secretary, in a dialog with CBS Saturday Morning.
Tighe mentioned the big group of filmmakers and actors was pulled collectively over the last three months. Vatican officers used contacts in Hollywood, together with Martin Scorsese, to assist craft the record of attendees. The toughest half, Tighe mentioned, was convincing Hollywood brokers that the invitation wasn’t a hoax. Tighe advised CBS Saturday Morning that he hopes the occasion exhibits that the Church embraces the humanities, as a substitute of simply tolerating them.
“We have to trust that the artist, even when he or she is being provocative, is trying to wake us up, grab our attention, and make us think about things that are important,” Tighe mentioned.
Extra from CBS Information
