The Vatican shared a Hollywood look on Saturday as Pope Leo XIV hosted a host of stars, including Cate BlanchettSpike Lee and Monica Bellucci in a special audience celebrating the power of cinema.
The event, organized by the Vatican’s Culture Ministry, took place in the Vatican Hall Vatican Valt. Leo asked the artists present to use their creativity to add layered lyrics and recommended film to console and challenge the audience.
“It shows the questions that live inside of us, and sometimes, even the tears that we don’t know we need to express,” said Leo.
The first US-born Pope also admitted financial difficulties Coping with Theaters. He said that the institutions should not give up, but “work together to ensure the social and cultural value” of the stadiums, drawing applause from the audience.
Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media Via Vactican Pool / Final Images
“His speech was good and very encouraging, hopefully for our work in cinema. We are glad we came,” he said Judd Apatowattending the audience with his wife and Hollywood Star Leslie Mann.
Mann added, “That was heard.
Leo spent about an hour greeting guests and making conversation with each person present. Lee, Someone who loves basketballgifted by the pontiff a New York Knick jersey with Noah’s name 14 and Leo on the back. Leo may be a known Chicago Bulls fan, but Lee said he told Pope that the current roster features three players from Villanova Universityholy son of the Alma Mater. Lee said Leo’s comments about the film “were very moving.”
Pope Francis held similar talks with the musicians and those involved. The audience is part of the Vatican’s efforts to reach beyond the Catholic Church involvement with the world.
Simone Risoluti – Vatican Media Via Vactican Pool / Photos / Mario Totassetti 
The Pope who says he “grew up with cinema”
That’s it The first Pope born in America and grew up during Hollywood’s heyday. Earlier this week, he listed his four favorite movies: “It’s a Beautiful Life,” “The Sound of Music,” “Ordinary People,” and “Life is Beautiful,” all classics that celebrate love and hope in the dark. Leo will be the subject of his movie, a documentary from the Vatican that follows his life from Chicago to St. Peter.
“He is a Pope who grew up with cinema and grew up with cinema, and it is natural (in the medium) to tell his story,” said Monsigror Paul Tigh, the Vatican’s secretary of culture, in an interview with CBS Saturday morning.
Tighe said a large group of people working on films and actors were pulled together three months ago. The Vatican authorities use contacts in Hollywood, including Martin Scorseseto help the craft of the attendees. The hardest part, Tighe said, was that the Hollywood agent’s invitation was not a hoax. Tighe told CBS Saturday morning that he hopes the event shows that the church embraces the arts, instead of just tolerating them.
“We have to trust that artist, even if he is provocative, he is trying to wake us up, grab our attention, and make us think about important things,” said Tiba.
