Pope Leo XIV Engages Hollywood Star Power at the Vatican
Pope Leo XIV welcomed Hollywood icons for a unique audience, where stars like Cate Blanchett and Viggo Mortensen gathered to discuss the power of cinema. The Pope described them as 'pilgrims of the imagination,' urging them to continue their roles in bringing hope to the world through storytelling.
This momentous meeting comes as an effort to connect the Catholic Church with contemporary society while emphasizing the importance of cinema. The Pope raised concerns about the troubling decline in cinema attendance and its implications for communities, referring to cinemas as the beating heart of social life.
Speaking beneath the magnificent frescoes of the Clementine Hall, the Pope praised cinema's potential to educate and inspire awe but stressed the responsibility of filmmakers to address real-world issues. Good cinema does not exploit pain; it recognizes and explores it, he insisted, addressing themes like addiction and forgotten conflicts.
Pope Leo XIV's remarks were highlighted by a call for solidarity with the global film industry, particularly in light of recent challenges faced by the artistic community, including strikes in Hollywood and ongoing funding issues in Italy.
The audience concluded with personal interactions, where stars presented gifts to the Pope, including a solidarity bracelet from Blanchett and a New York Knicks shirt from filmmaker Spike Lee.
