VATICAN CITY – Pope Leo XIV rallied support for the future of cinema Saturday, urging industry leaders to resist itsโข declineโฃ during a meeting with 160 actors, directors, and film professionals at theโฃ Vatican. The Pope, the first American pontiff, emphasized the cultural and social importance of cinemas as โคvital spaces for community and urban โขrevitalization.
“Depth is โsuffering an alarming erosionโฆand there are โคmany who argue thatโ the art of cinema and the cinematic experience โขare in jeopardy. I urge the institutions not to put up with it,” the Popeโ stated, drawing applause from theโ assembled group.
Attendees included prominent โฃfigures such asโค Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Viggo Mortensen, Emir Kusturica, and Spike Lee. Lee โขpresented the Pope with a personalized NBA jersey bearing โthe name โ”Pope Leo” andโฃ theโค number 14.
The Pope also encouraged filmmakers to confront difficult realities through โtheir work. “Don’t be afraid toโค faceโ the wounds of the world. Violence, poverty,โ exile, loneliness, โขaddictions, forgotten wars are wounds that must be seen and told. great cinema dose not exploit โsuffering: โit accompanies it,it explores it,” he said.
The meeting, noted by Variety as exceptional in its scale and portrayal, follows recent audiences with robert De Niro and his children last week, and Al pacino in June.
