Pope Leo XIV has recently held an audience with acclaimed Hollywood stars, including Cate Blanchett and Viggo Mortensen, during an event at the Vatican. This gathering served as an opportunity for the Pope to encourage actors and filmmakers to remain 'pilgrims of the imagination' and continue their essential work in bringing hope to the world.
The meeting, described by director Spike Lee as a 'great day,' was notable not only for its celebrity attendees but also as a signal of the Catholic Church's desire to engage more deeply with contemporary social issues through the lens of cinema.
Addressing the gathering beneath the magnificent frescoes of the Clementine Hall, Pope Leo praised the power of cinema to entertain, educate, and inspire. However, he also urged filmmakers to confront and narrate 'the world's wounds,' including violence, poverty, and addiction. 'Good cinema does not exploit pain; it recognizes and explores it,' he stated.
After a fifteen-minute speech, the Pope interacted personally with each guest, offering his blessings. Among the attendees, Blanchett presented him with a bracelet symbolizing solidarity with displaced individuals. Spike Lee gifted the Pope a shirt from the New York Knicks marked with 'Pope Leo.'
This audience marks a significant move for Pope Leo XIV, who has been noted for his quieter style compared to his predecessor, Pope Francis. Many see this event as a step towards shaping his papacy while addressing pressing cultural concerns in a changing world.
