Pope Leo meets Spike Lee, Cate Blanchett and other film stars at the Vatican

Pope Leo XIV hosted a special audience at the Vatican with Hollywood celebrities and Oscar-winning directors, including American director Spike Lee, Australian actress Cate Blanchett and Italian actress Monica Bellucci.

The 70-year-old pontiff hopes "to deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema, exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values," the Vatican said in a statement. The event is being organized by the Vatican as part of the Catholic Church's Holy Year celebrations.