Overview
- He hosted a special audience at the Apostolic Palace for actors and directors including Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Emir Kusturica and Gus Van Sant.
- He warned that movie theaters are in decline and urged collective efforts to preserve cinema as a place of encounter and a language of peace.
- Spike Lee presented an NBA jersey labeled “Pope Leo” with the number 14 during the gathering.
- The Vatican had released his favorite-film list ahead of the event, featuring It’s a Wonderful Life and Life Is Beautiful.
- He praised film’s capacity to convey hope and confront the world’s wounds, and Blanchett offered him a bracelet as a gift.