Cate Blanchett and Spike Lee Meet Pope Leo XIV at Vatican Gathering
A gathering of Hollywood luminaries convened with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, where the pontiff emphasized the role of cinema as a “workshop of hope.” During the meeting, held on March 15, 2024, the pope expressed concern over declining audiences and the diminishing presence of cinemas in urban areas.
Among the distinguished guests were Academy Award winners Cate Blanchett, celebrated for her performances in films like “Aviator” and “Elizabeth,” and Spike Lee, known for directing impactful works such as “Malcolm X” and “BlacKkKlansman.” The event took place in the Vatican’s apostolic palace, marking a significant occasion for dialogue between the Church and the film industry.
At the conclusion of the meeting, each attendee had the opportunity to meet the pope personally. Lee made a memorable gesture by gifting Pope Leo a New York Knicks jersey, further bridging the gap between faith and popular culture. Other notable attendees included Monica Bellucci, who portrayed Mary Magdalene in “The Passion of the Christ,” actor Adam Scott from “Parks and Recreation,” and Sergio Castellitto, who starred as the “vaping cardinal” Tedesco in the film “Conclave.”
In his address, Pope Leo remarked, “The Church esteems you for your work with light and time, with faces and landscapes, with words and silence.” He called for a renewal of camaraderie, emphasizing that cinema serves as a vital space for individuals to rediscover themselves and their purpose.
The meeting aimed to “deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema” and explore how artistic expression can contribute to the mission of the Church. This initiative coincides with a recent Gallup World Poll revealing a 17-point decrease in the number of adults in the United States who regard religion as an important aspect of their daily lives.
In his speech, delivered in Italian, the pope lamented the “troubling decline” of traditional cinemas, which he noted are increasingly disappearing from city landscapes. “I urge institutions not to give up, but to cooperate in affirming the social and cultural value of this activity,” he stated, which was met with applause from attendees.
Pope Leo, who hails from Chicago, shared insights into his cinematic preferences ahead of the meeting. Among his favorite films are classics such as “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), “The Sound of Music” (1965), “Ordinary People” (1980), and “Life is Beautiful” (1997). Reverend Antonio Spadaro, a Vatican official involved in organizing the event, reflected on the themes of goodness in the pope’s chosen films, describing them as “fragile, naïve, almost out of place – and yet precisely for that reason, revolutionary.”
This gathering continues a tradition of the Vatican engaging with the arts, following a similar event hosted by Pope Francis that featured comedians. The ongoing dialogue between the Church and the creative community highlights a commitment to addressing contemporary cultural challenges through the lens of artistic expression.
