Pope Leo XIV celebrates the power of cinema with star-studded Vatican audience

The Vatican shared the spotlight with Hollywood on Saturday as Pope Leo XIV hosted dozens of stars, including Cate BlanchettSpike Lee and Monica Bellucci for a special audience celebrating the power of cinema.

The event, organized by the Vatican Ministry of Culture, took place in the Vatican's frescoed audience hall. Leo encouraged the artists in attendance to use their art to engage marginalized voices and praised the film to comfort and challenge viewers.

“It articulates the questions that live inside us and sometimes even brings out tears that we didn’t know we needed to express,” Leo said.

The first US-born pope also acknowledged financial difficulties in front of cinemas. He said institutions should not give up, but “cooperate in promoting the social and cultural value” of theaters by drawing applause from audiences.

“His speech was beautiful and very inspiring, about hope and our work in cinema. We are glad we came,” he said. Judd Apatowwho came to the audience with his wife and Hollywood colleague Leslie Mann.

“It was so inspiring,” Mann added.

Leo spent almost an hour greeting the guests and talking with each of them. Lee, basketball fangave the pontiff a New York Knicks jersey with the number 14 and Leo's name on the back. Leo maybe famous Chicago Bulls fanbut Lee said he told Pope that the current Knicks roster included three players from Villanova Universityalma mater of the Holy Father. Lee said Leo's words about the film were “very, very touching.”

Pope Francis has held similar audiences with artists and comedians. The audience is part of the Vatican's efforts to reach beyond the Catholic Church. interact with the secular world.

The dad who “grew up watching movies”

Leo is first Pope born in America and grew up during the heyday of Hollywood. Earlier this week, he listed four of his favorite films: It's a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, Ordinary People and Life is Beautiful – classic films that celebrate love and hope in the face of darkness. Leo will also be the subject of his own film, a Vatican documentary that traces his life from Chicago to St. Peter's Basilica.

“He's a pope who grew up watching television and growing up watching movies, and it's a natural (medium) for him to tell his story,” Monsignor Paul Tai, the Vatican's culture minister, told CBS on Saturday morning.

Tighe said a large group of directors and actors have come together over the past three months. Vatican officials used contacts in Hollywood, including Martin Scorseseto help compile the list of participants. The hardest part, Tyga said, was convincing Hollywood agents that the invitation wasn't a hoax. Tighe told CBS Saturday Morning that he hopes the event will show that the Church supports the arts and doesn't just tolerate them.

“We have to trust that the artist, even when he or she is being provocative, is trying to wake us up, get our attention and make us think about important things,” Tighe said.