Pope Leo XIV is going to welcome a lot of famous Hollywood stars to the Vatican this weekend, which is a big deal. The event, which will take place on November 15, will be the first time a pope from the United States has hosted such a gathering. It will bring together some of the biggest names in film and television for a special audience.
Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, who is known for her roles in “Blue Jasmine” and “The Lord of the Rings,” as well as Chris Pine, Adam Scott, and famous directors Spike Lee, George Miller, and Gus Van Sant are among the notable guests. Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Viggo Mortensen, and directors Joanna Hogg, Tony Kaye, and Julie Taymor are also on the guest list.
The Vatican said that Pope Leo wants to encourage more conversation between the Church and the movie industry. He wants to look into how artistic creativity can help the Church’s mission and the promotion of human values. The Vatican’s cultural office is in charge of this event, which is part of the ongoing Holy Year celebrations.
Papal gatherings usually have high-ranking Catholic cardinals, but it’s not common for Hollywood stars to be there. In June 2024, the late Pope Francis held an event for comedians like Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon.
Before the event, the Vatican said that Pope Leo’s four favorite movies were “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), “The Sound of Music” (1965), “Ordinary People” (1980), and “Life Is Beautiful” (1997).
This historic meeting is likely to get people all over the world interested and set a new standard for the intersection of faith, art, and celebrity culture.
