Pope Leo welcomes cinema stars to the Vatican

Pope Leo has held an viewers with Hollywood stars, urging actors and administrators together with Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen and Monica Bellucci to proceed their work as “pilgrims of the imagination”, serving to to “bring hope”.

The celeb assembly was a sprinkling of star mud for a nonetheless comparatively new pope and a manner for the Catholic Church to have interaction extra with the world past.

It was additionally a robust present of help from Leo XIV for the worldwide movie trade, as he spoke out in opposition to the “troubling decline” in cinema-going.

Hailed by director Spike Lee as a “great day”, the gathering was the primary of its type within the Vatican.

Beneath the magnificent frescoes of the Clementine Hall, Pope Leo spoke in Italian to reward the ability of cinema to entertain and to coach – and for its “capacity to amaze”.

But he urged filmmakers to not draw back from what he referred to as “the world’s wounds”.

“Violence, poverty, exile, loneliness, addiction and forgotten wars are issues that need to be acknowledged and narrated,” the Pope mentioned. “Good cinema does not exploit pain; it recognizes and explores it. This is what all the great directors have done.”

Six months since a conclave of cardinals elected the primary North American to the Papacy, some Catholics really feel that Leo has been sluggish to stamp his personal mark on the position.

His predecessor, Francis, was a charismatic Argentinian recognized for his off-the-cuff feedback and dramatic gestures. Leo’s model is much quieter, so this star-studded engagement is a brand new look.

It’s not clear how the solid checklist was drawn up, though not one of the administrators within the corridor – who got here from everywhere in the world – made it onto the Pope’s personal prime movie checklist.

This week, the Vatican revealed that his favorite 4 watches of all time included the Nineteen Sixties nun-themed traditional The Sound of Music, It’s a Wonderful Life and Italian Roberto Benigni’s multi award-winning Life is Beautiful.

Among those that did be a part of right this moment’s A-list viewers have been Mortensen, Chris Pine and filmmaker Gus Van Sant – of Milk and Good Will Hunting fame. The giant Italian contingent included Gianni Amelio and Cinema Paradiso creator, Giuseppe Tornatore.

At a time of immense strain on movie, not lengthy after a major Hollywood strike and with funding strains right here in Italy, the Pope spoke in defence of the trade.

He was applauded loudly when he talked of the “quiet dedication” of all these behind the scenes with important roles.

He additionally warned in opposition to the closure of cinemas which he characterised because the “beating heart of communities”.

“More than a few people are saying that the art of cinema and the cinematic experience are in danger. I urge institutions not to give up, but to cooperate in affirming the social and cultural value of this activity,” the Pope mentioned.

After a fifteen-minute speech and a blessing he then obtained every viewers member in flip, led by Blanchett.

“He really urged us to go back into our day jobs and inspire people,” the Australian-born star informed reporters.

One of many who got here bearing presents, the actress – who works with the UN refugee company, UNHCR – positioned a woven bracelet within the Pope’s hand. “It was a bracelet I wear in solidarity with people who are displaced,” she defined later.

Lee handed the Chicago-born Pope a New York Knicks shirt printed with the quantity 14 and the phrases Pope Leo.