Pope Leo brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to the Vatican as he welcomed a group of acclaimed actors and filmmakers — including Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen and Monica Bellucci — encouraging them to continue serving as “pilgrims of the imagination” who use their craft to inspire hope.
For a relatively new pontiff, the gathering signaled a deliberate effort by the Catholic Church to connect with global culture. It also doubled as a public endorsement of the film industry, with the Pope expressing concern over what he described as a “worrying decline” in traditional cinema attendance.
The event, celebrated by director Spike Lee as a “great day,” marked the Vatican’s first-ever audience dedicated exclusively to major figures in international film.
Speaking beneath the ornate frescoes of the Clementine Hall, Pope Leo praised cinema’s ability to entertain, educate, and stir wonder. But he also challenged filmmakers to confront the world’s harsh realities.
“Violence, displacement, poverty, loneliness, addiction, and forgotten conflicts must be told,” he said. “Great cinema does not exploit suffering — it explores it.”
Six months into his historic papacy as the first North American Pope, some Catholics have criticized Leo for being slow to define his leadership style. His predecessor, Pope Francis, was known for bold gestures and spontaneous remarks, while Leo has been more reserved. This high-profile meeting showcased a new, more public-facing dimension to his tenure.
Many of the stars in attendance share the Pope’s passion for film. Earlier this week, the Vatican released his personal top movie picks, which included The Sound of Music, It’s a Wonderful Life, and Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful.
Among the attendees were Mortensen, Chris Pine, and director Gus Van Sant, along with prominent Italian filmmakers such as Gianni Amelio and Cinema Paradiso creator Giuseppe Tornatore.
Addressing an industry still recovering from a major Hollywood strike and financial strain in Italy, Pope Leo emphasized the value of film workers at every level and warned against the disappearance of community cinemas, calling them the “beating heart of neighborhoods.”
He urged governments and institutions to support the arts:
“Cinema is not in danger if we choose to protect it,” he said.
Following his speech and blessing, the Pope greeted each guest individually. Blanchett, the first in line, said the Pope encouraged them to continue inspiring audiences. She gifted him a bracelet symbolizing solidarity with displaced people, reflecting her humanitarian work with UNHCR.
Spike Lee presented the Pope with a New York Knicks jersey bearing the number 14 and the name “Pope Leo,” honoring the Chicago-born pontiff’s new place in cultural history.
