Pope Leo extends a warm welcome to Hollywood stars visiting the Vatican
Pope Leo hosted a special audience with Hollywood luminaries, encouraging actors and directors—including Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, and Monica Bellucci—to continue their work as “pilgrims of the imagination,” bringing hope through their craft.
The star-studded gathering offered a touch of glamour to the relatively new papacy and signaled the Catholic Church’s desire to engage more deeply with the wider cultural world.
It also amounted to a strong endorsement of the global film industry. Pope Leo lamented the “troubling decline” in cinema attendance and championed the importance of filmmaking. The event, hailed by director Spike Lee as a “great day,” marked the first meeting of its kind at the Vatican.
Speaking beneath the splendid frescoes of the Clementine Hall, Pope Leo delivered remarks in Italian praising cinema’s ability to both entertain and educate, celebrating its “capacity to amaze.” Yet he urged filmmakers not to shy away from portraying “the world’s wounds.”
“Violence, poverty, exile, loneliness, addiction, and forgotten wars must be acknowledged and told,” he said. “Good cinema doesn’t exploit suffering—it recognizes and explores it, just as all great directors have done.”
Six months after the conclave elected the first North American pope, some Catholics have suggested Leo XIV has been slow to define his personal style. His predecessor, Francis, was known for his spontaneity and dramatic gestures, while Leo’s quieter approach has made this high-profile gathering a notable shift.
How the guest list was chosen remains unclear, though none of the attending directors appeared on the Pope’s recently revealed list of favorite films. This week, the Vatican announced his top four: The Sound of Music, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Roberto Benigni’s celebrated Life Is Beautiful among them.
Those joining today’s A-list audience included Mortensen, Chris Pine, and filmmaker Gus Van Sant—known for Milk and Good Will Hunting. Italy’s delegation featured Gianni Amelio and Cinema Paradiso director Giuseppe Tornatore.
Amid industry strain—from Hollywood’s recent major strike to Italy’s funding pressures—the Pope voiced strong support for cinema and its workers. He received loud applause when praising the “quiet dedication” of behind-the-scenes professionals.
He also warned of the dangers posed by cinema closures, calling theaters the “beating heart of communities.”
“Many say that the art of cinema and the cinematic experience are at risk,” he said. “I urge institutions not to stand by, but to work together to uphold the social and cultural value of film.”
After his fifteen-minute address and a blessing, Pope Leo greeted each guest individually, beginning with Blanchett.
“He really urged us to return to our work and inspire people,” the Australian actress told reporters. She brought him a woven bracelet she wears in solidarity with displaced people, reflecting her role with UNHCR.
Spike Lee presented the Chicago-born pontiff with a New York Knicks jersey emblazoned with the number 14 and “Pope Leo.”