Pope Leo XIV Urges Filmmakers to Embrace Cinema as a “Workshop of Hope”
Vatican City – Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message to a gathering of international film artists today, asserting that cinema is far more than mere entertainment; it’s a vital force for fostering community, exploring the human condition, and igniting hope in a world desperately in need of beauty and truth.
Addressing actors,directors,writers,and filmmakers,the Pope described entering a cinema as ”crossing a threshold,” a space where heightened senses and open minds allow for engagement with previously unimagined ideas. He emphasized that audiences seek not only entertainment, but also “meaning, beauty, and justice,” and that cinema has the potential to offer precisely that in an increasingly screen-saturated world.
“It is indeed an intersection of desires, memories and questions,” Pope Leo stressed, adding that cinema educates the mind and cultivates inventiveness. He further highlighted the crucial role cinemas play as ”the beating hearts of our communities because they contribute to making them more human.”
However, the Pope acknowledged the current challenges facing the industry, noting the decline of theaters and the danger to “the art of cinema and the cinematic experience.” He urged institutions to persevere and collaborate to preserve the cultural and social value of cinema, stating that beauty is “not an escape from reality, but a call.”
Pope Leo XIV underscored the power of authentic cinema to challenge rather than simply console, prompting reflection on the questions within our hearts. He connected this to the current jubilee Year, framing all those present as “pilgrims of hope,” whose journey is measured “not in kilometers but in images, words, emotions, shared memories and collective desires.”
The Pope expressed his desire to renew the friendship between the Church and the world of cinema, describing cinema as “a workshop of hope, a place where people can once again find themselves and their purpose,” and calling on all involved to make it “an art of the Spirit.” He challenged filmmakers to be bold in confronting the world’s problems, stating, “Good cinema does not exploit pain; it recognizes and explores it,” – a practice he attributed to “all the great directors.” He further noted that giving voice to complex emotions is “an act of love.”
Acknowledging the collaborative nature of filmmaking, Pope leo XIV emphasized the importance of every role, from directors and prop masters to electricians and makeup artists, in bringing a vision to life. He celebrated the “mixture of gifts and talents” that allows each individual to “make their unique charisma shine in a collaborative and fraternal atmosphere.”
The audience concluded with personal greetings to Pope Leo XIV.American actress Cate Blanchett presented the Pope with a bracelet, while American filmmaker Spike Lee gifted him a personalized basketball jersey of the new York Knicks.
