Of course, Everything that Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church, says becomes a global talking point. And now, what’s more, he’s revealed his favorite movies of all time in a recent chat with Variety. The Pope’s selection reflects an appreciation for works that have become cultural landmarks and cinematic standards, films that, to borrow Martin Scorsese’s words, embody what “absolute cinema” can be.
The first film he mentioned is widely considered one of the best Christmas movies of all time, Frank Capra’s 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life. No wonder that in 1998, the American Film Institute named It’s a Wonderful Life the 11th greatest American film of all time. Next on Pope Leo XIV’s list was the universally beloved musical, The Sound of Music (1965), starring Julie Andrews. It’s no surprise that the film went on to win five Oscars, because it totally deserved it.
The Pope also cited Ordinary People (1980), a family drama that explores grief and healing within a wealthy American family. The film is often hailed as the gold standard for cinematic depictions of mental health and emotional vulnerability. Finally, the Pontiff named the Italian masterpiece La Vita è Bella (Life is Beautiful), a poignant film about World War II that balances tragedy and humor in its depiction of a father’s love for his son. After all, tragedy and comedy are often two sides of the same truth.
Read also | Priyanka Chopra returns to the music scene with Desi version of Last Christmas; Netizens call it “nag”. He watches
The New York Times also reported yesterday that Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet with several famous actors in the coming days. According to the outlet, the Pope will hold an audience on November 15, 2025, with stars including Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, Alison Brie, Dave Franco, and Monica Bellucci. The gathering will also welcome acclaimed directors Spike Lee, George Miller, Giuseppe Tornatore and Gus Van Sant.
This event is organized by the Vatican’s Culture Office. According to Variety, the Pope “expressed his desire to deepen the dialogue with the world of cinema… and explore the possibilities that artistic creativity offers for the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values.” Just last week, His Holiness the Pope met with veteran actor Robert De Niro and his daughters, Julian De Niro and Drina De Niro.
(Tags for translation)Pope Leo XIV
