Pope Leo XIV Engages with Hollywood’s Finest

Pope Leo XIV is making strides to connect the Vatican with Hollywood. On Saturday, an exclusive gathering is set to take place featuring some of the film industry’s most notable figures.

The Vatican stated, “During this Jubilee, Pope Leo XIV aims to enrich dialogue with the film world, particularly with actors and directors.” There’s a sense of curiosity about how creativity could enhance “the mission of the Church” and promote essential human values.

The event will welcome actors like Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Adam Scott, and Spike Lee. It’s called “An Audience with Pope Leo.”

The Jubilee Year—important within Catholicism—occurs every 25 years and emphasizes themes of forgiveness, grace, and pilgrimage.

It’s worth noting that while celebrity-papal meetings aren’t new, this might be the first of its kind under Pope Leo, specifically targeting Hollywood stars. The late Pope Francis held a similar event in June 2024, inviting over 100 comedians, including well-known names like Jimmy Fallon and Whoopi Goldberg.

In anticipation of Saturday’s gathering, the Vatican shared insights into Pope Leo’s personal movie tastes, revealing that his favorites include “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “The Sound of Music,” “Ordinary People,” and “Life is Beautiful.”

Just to add a bit of context, Cardinal Robert Prevot was elected as Pope Leo XIV in May. He made history as the first American-born pope, hailing from Chicago.