Overview
- At a Vatican audience with roughly 160 film professionals, the Pope said movie theaters are disappearing from cities and neighborhoods and urged institutions to defend the cultural and social value of cinema.
- He described cinema as a place of encounter that should face the world’s wounds—such as violence and poverty—and affirmed that great films accompany pain rather than exploit it.
- Attendees included Liliana Cavani, Monica Bellucci, Matteo Garrone, Giuseppe Tornatore, Cate Blanchett and Spike Lee, who gave the Pope an NBA jersey marked “Pope Leo 14.”
- Opposition deputy Matteo Orfini argued the government’s budget still confirms cuts to the Cinema Fund and said the Pope’s message underscores the need to change course.
- Culture undersecretary Lucia Borgonzoni disputed the criticism, pointing to more than €160 million for theaters last year and initiatives like Cinema Revolution and the new Happy Family program.