Pope Leo XIV Unveils Top Film Picks at Vatican Soiree

Pope Leo XIV revealed his favorite films during a meeting with movie stars and directors at the Vatican on November 15, 2025. The pope, who has been a long-time advocate for the power of cinema, shared his four favorite movies with the attendees, which included Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Spike Lee, Viggo Mortensen, and Monica Bellucci. According to the Vatican, the meeting aimed to "deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema." Pope Leo XIV's favorite films include 1965's The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews, which he praised for its "great songs" and "wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings." He also appreciated the film's depiction of nuns who helped the Trapp family escape Nazi rule in Austria. Another favorite film of the pope is Frank Capra's 1946 film, It's a Wonderful Life, which he described as a "beautiful story of hope and redemption." The pope's other two favorite films are 1975's A Man for All Seasons, directed by Fred Zinnemann, and 1994's Schindler's List, directed by Steven Spielberg. The pope's love for cinema is not new, and he has often spoken about the impact of movies on society. "Cinema has the power to inspire, to educate, and to bring people together," he said in a previous statement. The meeting at the Vatican was seen as an opportunity for the pope to engage with the film industry and to promote the values of hope, compassion, and redemption that are often depicted in movies. Industry experts believe that the pope's favorite films reflect his values and his commitment to promoting hope and inspiration. "The pope's love for It's a Wonderful Life is particularly significant, given the film's themes of hope and redemption," said film critic, Peter Travers. "It's a film that has resonated with audiences for generations, and it's a testament to the power of cinema to inspire and uplift." The meeting at the Vatican was seen as a significant event in the film industry, with many attendees expressing their admiration for the pope's commitment to promoting the values of hope and compassion. "It was an honor to meet the pope and to discuss the power of cinema with him," said Cate Blanchett, who attended the meeting. "His passion for film is inspiring, and I believe that it has the power to bring people together and to promote positive change in the world." The current status of the pope's favorite films is that they continue to be widely popular and influential. The Sound of Music, for example, remains one of the most beloved films of all time, with its iconic songs and memorable characters continuing to inspire new generations of audiences. It's a Wonderful Life, on the other hand, has become a classic of American cinema, with its themes of hope and redemption continuing to resonate with audiences today. As for A Man for All Seasons and Schindler's List, they are widely regarded as two of the greatest films of all time, with their powerful stories and memorable characters continuing to inspire and educate audiences around the world.