Overview
- The Vatican says the special audience will take place Saturday morning, Nov. 15, inside the Apostolic Palace with roughly three dozen actors and directors.
- Confirmed guests include Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Adam Scott, Viggo Mortensen, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and directors Spike Lee, George Miller, Gus Van Sant and Giuseppe Tornatore.
- According to a Vatican statement, the goal is to “deepen dialogue with the world of cinema” and explore how artistic creativity can support human values central to the Church.
- The gathering is organized by the Vatican’s culture office as part of the Church’s ongoing Holy Year and is an uncommon pop‑culture event at the Vatican, following Pope Francis’s 2024 comedians meeting.
- To frame the discussion, the Vatican released Pope Leo’s four favorite films: It’s a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, Ordinary People and Life Is Beautiful; the announcement follows his Nov. 7 audience with Robert De Niro.