Pope Leo will receive dozens of Hollywood actors and directors at the Vatican / What are his favorite movies?
Pope Leon / Photo source: ABACA / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia
About 30 Hollywood stars, including Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine and Adam Scott, will meet Pope Leo this weekend, the Vatican announced on Monday, according to Reuters.
Oscar-winning directors Spike Lee, George Miller and Gus Van Sant will also attend the special Vatican audience given by Pope Leo, the first US-born pope.
The Pope “expressed his desire to deepen the dialogue with the world of cinema… exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers for the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values,” the Vatican statement said.
Papal events often include high-ranking cardinals, but rarely Hollywood stars.
However, the late Pope Francis hosted in June 2024, in the Vatican, an event dedicated to comedians, which was attended by American late night show creators Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon.
Actors Alison Brie, Dave Franco and Viggo Mortensen, as well as directors Joanna Hogg, Tony Kaye and Julie Taymor, will also be taking part in Saturday's meeting with Pope Leon.
Ahead of the new event, the Vatican unveiled four of the Pope's favorite films: “A Wonderful Life” (1946), “The Sound of Music” (1965), “Ordinary People” (1980) and “Life is Beautiful” (1997).
Saturday's event is organized by the Vatican's cultural office as part of the Church's Holy Year.
