Pope Leo XIV to Meet Cinema World, Shares Favorite Films

Pope Leo XIV will meet actors, directors, and cinema professionals on November 15, at the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City, in a special audience aimed at fostering dialogue between the Church and the world of film.

Ahead of the meeting, the Vatican revealed four films that hold personal significance for the Pope, describing them as “the most important in his cinematic journey,” according to CNA. These include:

• “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) – Frank Capra’s classic about a man who discovers the value of his life through the help of a guardian angel.

• “The Sound of Music” (1965) – The story of a postulant who brings love and music to the Von Trapp family in Austria under Nazi threat.

• “Ordinary People” (1980) – Robert Redford’s drama about family tragedy and healing.

• “Life Is Beautiful” (1997) – Roberto Benigni’s tale of a father shielding his son from the horrors of a concentration camp through imagination and love.

The upcoming meeting is part of the Vatican’s ongoing engagement with the arts, following previous Papal audiences with visual artists in June 2023, comedians in June 2024, and participants of the Jubilee of Artists and the World of Culture earlier this year, CNA reports.

The Pope will meet internationally renowned figures, including Monica Bellucci and Maria Grazia Cucinotta from Italy, Cate Blanchett from the United States, directors Spike Lee, Gus Van Sant, George Miller, and Giuseppe Tornatore.

According to the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV “has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the world of cinema, exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values.”

This audience underscores the Vatican’s growing commitment to engage with contemporary culture, encouraging artists and filmmakers to reflect on themes of human dignity, faith, and the common good.