Pope Leo XIV welcomed Hollywood and European film industry heavyweights to the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace on November 16, emphasizing the crucial role of art in society.
The star-studded gathering included actors Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Chris Pine, and Viggo Mortensen, alongside renowned directors Spike Lee and Dario Argento.
His Holiness praised cinema as the most accessible and noble form of popular art, stating that authentic films not only comfort but also provoke thought and evoke emotion. The Associated Press interpreted these remarks as a call for greater inclusivity and attention to marginalized voices.
Addressing the decline of traditional movie theaters, the Pope urged the attendees to collaborate in preserving cultural and social values. He contrasted algorithms, which he said show us the repetitive, with art, which opens up possibilities, and called for respect for slowness, silence, and differences.
Academy Award-winner Cate Blanchett echoed the Pope’s sentiments, asserting that filmmaking transcends mere entertainment by amplifying marginalized voices and confronting shared human struggles.
In a lighthearted moment, director Spike Lee gifted the pontiff a New York Knicks jersey bearing the number 14.
Despite the Pope’s known allegiance to the Chicago Bulls, Spike Lee highlighted the gift’s significance by noting that three Knicks players hail from Villanova University, the Pope’s alma mater.
Pope Leo XIV has previously cited It’s a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, Ordinary People, and Life is Beautiful as his favorite films.
