Pope: Cinema is more than a screen; it puts hope into action
Pope Leo arrives for the audience with the World of Cinema (@VATICAN MEDIA)Pope
A look inside
Entering a movie theater means crossing a threshold, the Pope pointed out. In the darkness of the theater, our senses are heightened and our minds open to things we never imagined.
These productions reach people who seek entertainment, but also meaning, beauty, and justice. In a world where screens are omnipresent in our daily lives, cinema can be a screen that offers so much more.
Pope Leo XIII emphasized that it is “a confluence of desires, memories, and questions.” Our minds are educated, and our imaginations grow.
Cinema: the beating heart of communities
Theaters and cinemas, the Pope pointed out, are “the beating heart of our communities because they contribute to making them more humane.”
However, these culturally significant places are facing decline. He emphasized how “the art of cinema and the cinematic experience” are in danger.
The Pope encouraged these institutions not to give up, but to continue working together to preserve their cultural and social value.
Art opens us up to what is possible, he said. Beauty is not an escape from reality, but a call.
“When cinema is authentic, it not only consoles, but also challenges us,” the Pope explained. Cinema helps us reflect on the deepest questions of our hearts.
Cinema and the Jubilee
In this Jubilee Year, we are invited to move forward with hope, and the presence of so many artists from around the world is an example of this hope.
The Pope pointed out that all those present are also pilgrims of hope. However, their journey “is not measured in kilometers, but in images, words, emotions, shared memories, and collective aspirations.”
Reflecting on the Church's appreciation for the work of actors, directors, screenwriters and filmmakers, Pope Leo XIII expressed his desire to renew the friendship between the Church and cinema.
“Cinema is a workshop of hope, a place where people can rediscover themselves and their purpose,” he said, urging everyone present to make cinema an art of the Spirit.
Cinema can bear witness to hope, beauty, and truth, qualities the world desperately needs today. Pope Leo XIV urged all those involved in film to uphold their vocation to be witnesses to hope, beauty, and truth.
He challenged them not to be afraid to confront the problems of today's world. "Good cinema does not exploit pain; it acknowledges it and explores it," the Pope said, adding that this is what "all great directors have done."
Giving voice to the complex and sometimes dark feelings we find in our hearts is "an act of love," the Pope noted.
In conclusion, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that filmmaking is a collective effort that requires working together with all kinds of professionals, from directors and prop masters to electricians and makeup artists.
Everyone, he said, is important in creating the final product, as their combination of gifts and talents helps everyone involved to "shine their unique charisma in a collaborative and fraternal environment."
At the end of the audience, each of the artists had the opportunity to greet Pope Leo XIV.
American actress Cate Blanchett gave the Pope a bracelet, and American filmmaker Spike Lee gave him a personalized New York Knicks basketball jersey.
(LR): Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee, Tonya Lewis Lee, and Viggo Mortensen listen to the Pope's address (@Vatican Media)