Papa Leon had an audience with Hollywood stars, urging actors and directors including Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen and Monica Bellucci to continue their work as “pilgrims of the imagination”helping to “bringing hope”.
Monica Bellucci at the Vatican PHOTO ©Zuma Press/Bestimage via ELLE
The celebrity meeting was a touch of brilliance for a still relatively new pope and a way for the Catholic Church to connect more with the outside world. It was also a strong sign of support from Leo XIV for the global film industry as he spoke about “worrying decline” of going to the cinema, reports the BBC.
Greeted by director Spike Lee right “a great day”the event was the first of its kind in the Vatican.
Beneath the magnificent frescoes in the Sala Clementina, Pope Leo spoke in Italian to extol the power of cinema to entertain and educate – and “her ability to amaze”.
“Violence, poverty, exile, loneliness, addiction and forgotten wars are issues that need to be recognized and told”the Pope said. “Good cinema does not exploit pain; he recognizes it and explores it. That’s what all the great directors did.”
Cate Blanchett and Papa Leon PHOTO Profimedia
It is not clear how the guest list was determined, although none of the directors in the room – who came from all over the world – were on the list of the Pope’s favorite films.
This week, the Vatican revealed that its four favorite films of all time include the 1960s nun classic The Sound of Music, It’s a Wonderful Life and Italian Roberto Benigni’s award-winning La vita è bella.
Among those in the A-list audience on Saturday were Mortensen, Chris Pine and filmmaker Gus Van Sant – of Milk and Good Will Hunting fame. The large Italian delegation included Gianni Amelio and Cinema Paradiso creator Giuseppe Tornatore.
At a time of immense pressure on cinema, shortly after a major strike in Hollywood and amid funding problems in Italy, the Pope spoke out in defense of the industry. He was given a standing ovation when he spoke of the “quiet dedication” of everyone behind the scenes with pivotal roles. He also warned against closing cinemas, which he characterized as the “beating heart of communities”.
“Enough people are saying that the art of cinema and the experience of going to the movies is in danger. I urge institutions not to give up, but to cooperate to affirm the social and cultural value of this activity”the Pope said.
After a fifteen-minute speech and a benediction, he then welcomed each member of the audience, starting with Blanchett.
“It really pushed us to go back to our jobs and inspire people”the Australian star told reporters.
One of the many people who brought gifts, the actress – who works with the UN refugee agency UNHCR – placed a braided bracelet in the Pope’s hand. “It was a bracelet that I wear as a sign of solidarity with the displaced”she later explained.
