Pope Leo hosted a prominent group of Hollywood actors and filmmakers at the Vatican on Saturday, using the occasion to voice deep concern over the global decline of movie theaters and the erosion of the shared cinematic experience.
Among those in attendance were screen stars Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci and Chris Pine, along with Oscar-winning director Spike Lee.
Leo, the first U.S.-born pope, described cinema as a vital “workshop of hope” at a time marked by conflict, uncertainty and digital saturation. He warned that cinemas worldwide were “experiencing a troubling decline,” noting that many theaters have disappeared from urban centers and neighborhoods.
“More than a few people are saying that the art of cinema and the cinematic experience are in danger,” he said. “I urge institutions not to give up, but to cooperate in affirming the social and cultural value of this activity.”
Box office revenues have struggled to rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic, with U.S. and Canadian multiplexes recording their weakest summer since 1981, excluding pandemic closures.
The pope’s remarks come as the global film industry continues to confront changing viewing habits driven by streaming and algorithm-driven content platforms.
Marking cinema’s 130th anniversary, Leo reflected on its unique power to reveal profound human questions.
“Cinema is not just moving pictures; it sets hope in motion,” he said, calling the act of entering a theater “like crossing a threshold” where imagination expands and suffering can take on new meaning.
He cautioned against allowing algorithms to dictate artistic expression, arguing that overreliance on digital metrics risks narrowing storytelling.
“The logic of algorithms tends to repeat what works, but art opens up what is possible,” he said, urging creators to defend “slowness, silence and difference” when these elements deepen a narrative.
Leo also encouraged filmmakers to confront themes such as war, poverty, loneliness and violence with honesty and empathy. Good cinema, he said, “does not exploit pain; it recognizes and explores it.”
He emphasized the collaborative nature of filmmaking, praising not just actors and directors but the countless behind-the-scenes workers who make films possible.
After the address, the invited artists met the pope individually. Spike Lee presented him with a New York Knicks basketball jersey printed with “Pope Leo 14,” drawing smiles in the hall.
Ahead of the gathering, the Vatican released a list of four of the pope’s favorite films: The Sound of Music, It’s a Wonderful Life, Ordinary People, and Life Is Beautiful, a reflection of the storytelling values he urged Hollywood to preserve.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
