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Pope Leo XIV calls on Hollywood to tackle 'world's wounds' in historic Vatican meeting
Pope Leo XIV met with Hollywood stars and directors-including Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, and Monica Bellucci-in an unprecedented Vatican audience, urging filmmakers to use their craft to confront global suffering while defending the embattled cinema industry.
The gathering, held beneath the frescoed ceilings of the Clementine Hall, marked the first event of its kind in Vatican history. Pope Leo praised cinema's power to "entertain, educate, and amaze," but emphasized its duty to explore "violence, poverty, exile, loneliness, addiction, and forgotten wars" without exploitation. "Good cinema does not exploit pain; it recognizes and explores it," he declared in Italian.
Star-studded show of support for struggling film industry
Against the backdrop of declining theater attendance and recent Hollywood strikes, the Pope warned of the "troubling decline" in cinema-going and called cinemas the "beating heart of communities." He urged institutions to preserve the "social and cultural value" of film, praising the "quiet dedication" of behind-the-scenes workers to loud applause.
Attendees included Oscar-winning actors Chris Pine and Mortensen, directors Spike Lee and Gus Van Sant, and Italian filmmakers Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso) and Gianni Amelio. Blanchett, a UNHCR ambassador, gifted the Pope a woven bracelet symbolizing solidarity with displaced people, while Lee presented a custom New York Knicks jersey emblazoned with "Pope Leo 14."
A new papal approach: Quiet diplomacy meets Hollywood glamour
Six months into his papacy, the Chicago-born Leo-elected as the first North American pope-has adopted a more reserved style than his charismatic predecessor, Francis. This high-profile event signals a shift, blending Vatican tradition with modern cultural engagement. The Vatican recently revealed Leo's favorite films, including The Sound of Music and Life Is Beautiful, though none of the directors present made his list.
"He really urged us to go back into our day jobs and inspire people," Blanchett told reporters after the 15-minute address and blessing. "It was a great day," added director Spike Lee.
Industry pressures and papal advocacy
The meeting arrives as Italy's film sector faces funding shortages and global cinema grapples with streaming competition. Pope Leo's endorsement-calling filmmakers "pilgrims of the imagination"-offers symbolic support, though its tangible impact remains unclear. Observers note the event's dual role: bolstering the Pope's public profile while positioning the Church as a cultural ally.
