The Vatican is set for a star-studded occasion this Saturday as Pope Leo opens the doors of the Apostolic Palace to a constellation of Hollywood talent. This special audience, including luminaries such as Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Chris Pine, Adam Scott, and acclaimed directors Spike Lee, George Miller, and Gus Van Sant, marks a significant effort to fuse the worlds of faith and popular culture.
A Strategic Papal Outreach
Vatican observers are interpreting this high-profile gathering as a calculated move to bolster the profile of the pontiff. Pope Leo, the first US-born pope in Catholic history, has been in his role for just over six months. At 70 years old, he is often described as a more mild-mannered and low-key figure compared to his charismatic but divisive predecessor, the late Pope Francis.
The Vatican explicitly stated this week that the pope "has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the world of cinema." The aim is to explore how artistic creativity can support the Church's mission and promote universal human values. The event is formally connected to the jubilee of artists and culture, part of the Church's ongoing holy year.
The Pontiff's Personal Cinema Favourites
Ahead of the audience, the Chicago-born pontiff offered a personal glimpse into his tastes, revealing his four favourite films to the world. His selections are: Robert Wise's classic musical The Sound of Music, Frank Capra's heart-warming It's a Wonderful Life, Robert Redford's family drama Ordinary People, and Roberto Benigni's poignant Holocaust story Life Is Beautiful.
Commentators note that this initiative extends beyond interfaith dialogue. "Leo doesn't have the same charisma as Francis, who was always giving catchy one-liners," said Hendro Munsterman, Vatican correspondent for the Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad. "Leo is a listener, very quiet and modest, which has its own charm. But he is also a product that has to be created."
Building a Modern Papal Image
The Vatican's efforts to shape Pope Leo's public persona began almost immediately after his election in May. A passionate tennis player, he welcomed Italian world No. 1 Jannik Sinner to the Vatican, where a friendly exchange and the gift of a tennis racket were captured on video. This was followed by a private audience with Al Pacino in June and a recent meeting with Italian singer Laura Pausini.
Munsterman suggests this is a deliberate strategy: "They began with sport and now it's culture, especially as we are in a very visible culture of Netflix and films, etc. It is a way of getting this pope into contact with popular culture, and I think it's smart."
Severina Bartonitschek, a Vatican correspondent for Germany's Catholic KNA news agency, emphasised the mutual benefits. She stated that such audiences are "not for fun" but represent "positive PR for both sides." For the Vatican, it is a prime opportunity to generate "great photos and positivity" for the global press, which often focuses on Church scandals. "No one outside the Catholic bubble talks about the pope normally, and about Leo especially," she added.
This approach is not entirely new. Pope Francis also leveraged popular culture during his 12-year papacy, hosting over 100 comedians last year and meeting stars like Leonardo DiCaprio and Angelina Jolie. The Italian-American director Martin Scorsese maintains close ties with the Catholic Church and is currently producing a film featuring his final in-depth conversations with the late Pope Francis.
This weekend's audience, therefore, represents a continuation of a modern papal tradition, strategically deployed to amplify the voice and image of a new pontiff seeking his footing on the global stage.
