Pope Leo is bringing Hollywood to Rome: these are the celebrities invited to the Vatican for the Nov. 15 event

Pope Leo XIV – the first American pontiff in history – is set to welcome some of Hollywood’s biggest names to the Vatican this week.

Pope linking movies to humanity

The event, scheduled for November 15, is part of the Vatican’s ongoing Holy Year program and reflects Pope Leo’s aim to “deepen dialogue with the world of cinema” and explore how film can serve “the promotion of human values,” according to a statement.

Who has Pope Leo invited on Nov. 15?

Among the famous names expected to appear are:

• Cate Blanchett, Oscar winner for Blue Jasmine and The Aviator
• Spike Lee, director of Do the Right Thing and BlacKkKlansman
• George Miller, visionary filmmaker behind the Mad Max saga
• Adam Scott, Emmy-nominated star of Severance
• Chris Pine, actor known for Star Trek and Wonder Woman
• Gus Van Sant, director of Good Will Hunting and Drugstore Cowboy
• Alison Brie and Dave Franco, actor-director couple known for Community and The Disaster Artist
• Viggo Mortensen, Lord of the Rings star and filmmaker
• Tony Kaye, controversial director of American History X

The gathering follows Robert De Niro’s private meeting with Pope Leo on November 7, which the actor later called “very special.” De Niro attended with his children, Drena and Julian, and described the audience as deeply personal, given that his late grandson was named Leo.

It’s rare for a pope to host a delegation of Hollywood figures. But since his election in May, the Chicago-born Pope Leo has shown an openness to pop culture – even sharing his favorite films, which include It’s a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, Ordinary People, and Life Is Beautiful.

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