Hollywood to the Vatican: Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee Meet Pope

The Vatican Meets Hollywood: A Call for Hope Through Cinema

On November 15, 2025, during the World of Cinema event at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican City, renowned actors and filmmakers Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee, Leslie Mann, and Kenneth Lonergan gathered to meet with Pope Leo XIV. The meeting was part of a broader initiative aimed at using cinema to spread hope and address social issues.

Speaking with Vatican News, these creative artists shared their responses to Pope Leo’s call to use their roles in the world of cinema to help others “rediscover a portion of the hope that is essential for humanity to live to the fullest.” Leslie Mann emphasized the importance of returning people to movie theaters, saying: “We’re very hopeful and very excited for the future of cinema,” she explained. The actress expressed her commitment to getting people back to watching films in theaters instead of at home on their couches.

The Value of Cinema

Pope Leo XIV underscored the cultural and societal value of cinemas, noting that they are “the beating hearts of our communities.” He highlighted the danger of a declining cinema attendance, which fell by 8.8% in 2024 compared to 2023, selling 500 million fewer tickets globally. The Pope also stressed the importance of safeguarding cinemas as vital spaces for cultural engagement and social interaction.

Kenneth Lonergan, an American playwright, screenwriter, and film director, praised Pope Leo’s interest in bringing cinema into the tradition of art promotion by the Catholic Church. He argued that a world without art—particularly films—would be “a pretty sorry world.” Lonergan believes that cinema can serve as an avenue of hope in today’s world full of conflicts and social tensions: “As soon as people have a chance to be hopeful, they grab it,” he noted.

Personal Gifts and Messages

American filmmaker Spike Lee greeted Pope Leo with a personalized New York Knicks basketball jersey, symbolizing his connection to the Holy Father’s university days in the United States. Cate Blanchett also gifted the Pope a small blue bracelet. She explained that it represented solidarity with displaced people: “I work with UNHCR, the UN refugee agency,” she said, and the bracelet is one she wears in solidarity with those who are displaced.

Blanchett launched the Displacement Film Fund as a UNHCR Goodwill ambassador earlier this year.

This initiative aims to champion and fund the work of displaced filmmakers or filmmakers with a proven track record in creating authentic storytelling on the experiences of displaced people. She highlighted that these voices often get marginalized from the mainstream, emphasizing the importance of sharing their stories.

Vanja Kaludjercic, director of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, agreed: “It is of tremendous importance that His Holiness is opening up this space for dialogue and pointing out how important it is to create space for stories of those who often get unheard,” she stressed. This initiative reveals shared values between the Displacement Film Fund and the Vatican, both promoting basic human rights and dignity.

Conclusion

The meeting between Hollywood’s elite and Pope Leo XIV serves as a powerful reminder of the role cinema can play in addressing social issues and spreading hope. Through these encounters, the film industry leaders reaffirmed their commitment to using their craft for the betterment of society. As cinemas continue to face challenges, this event underscores the enduring importance of these spaces as cultural hubs and sources of inspiration.