Vatican to Welcome Cinema Luminaries
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to host a significant gathering of Hollywood actors and directors at the Vatican this weekend, specifically on Saturday, November 15. The event, taking place at the Apostolic Palace, is designed to facilitate a dialogue on artistic creativity and its connection to human values and the mission of the Church.
This initiative is part of the ongoing Holy Year celebrations and underscores the Vatican's commitment to engaging with cultural sectors.
Distinguished Guest List Announced
A notable roster of Hollywood talent is expected to attend the papal audience. Among the confirmed guests are Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, actors Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Monica Bellucci, and Adam Scott. The delegation also includes acclaimed directors such as Oscar winners Spike Lee, George Miller, Giuseppe Tornatore, and Gus Van Sant, alongside filmmakers Joanna Hogg, Tony Kaye, and Julie Taymor.
The Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education stated that the Pope 'has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema... exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values.'
A Papacy Engaging with the Arts
Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on May 8, 2025, as the first American-born pontiff, continues a tradition of papal engagement with the arts. His predecessor, the late Pope Francis, also hosted similar events, including a gathering for comedians in June 2024 that featured figures like Conan O'Brien and Stephen Colbert. Pope Leo XIV has already met with several entertainers during his pontificate, including Al Pacino in June and Robert De Niro recently.
Ahead of the event, the Vatican also shared Pope Leo XIV's favorite films, which include:
- 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946)
- 'The Sound of Music' (1965)
- 'Ordinary People' (1980)
- 'La vita è bella' (1997)
This weekend's meeting is anticipated to further strengthen the dialogue between the Catholic Church and the global film industry, exploring how cinematic storytelling can contribute to universal human values.
5 Comments
Stan Marsh
More celebrity worship. The Church needs to serve the poor, not entertain movie stars.
Kyle Broflovski
Love that Pope Leo XIV is reaching out to the film industry. So progressive!
Stan Marsh
It's interesting that the Pope is connecting with such influential figures, which could certainly broaden the Church's reach. However, one has to wonder if these celebrities truly represent the values the Vatican wishes to promote, given some of their public stances.
Kyle Broflovski
While it's good to see the Church engaging with popular culture, I question if Hollywood is truly the best partner for promoting genuine spiritual values. There's a fine line between dialogue and endorsement.
Eric Cartman
Finally, the Vatican understands the power of modern storytelling. Great initiative!