Pope Leo hosts Hollywood in bid to boost new pontiff's star power

A host of Hollywood celebrities will meet Pope Leo today, a gathering Vatican observers say is aimed at giving some star power to the pontiff, who in May became the first US pope in the history of the Catholic church.

- Angela Giuffrida

Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Chris Pine and Adam Scott are among the actors who will join a special audience with Leo at his Apostolic Palace residence, along with the Oscar-winning directors Spike Lee, George Miller and Gus Van Sant.

The Vatican said in a statement earlier this week that the pope “has expressed his desire 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”.

Before the audience the Chicago-born pontiff revealed his four favourite films: Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music, Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, Robert Redford’s Ordinary People and Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful.

The meeting is billed by the Vatican’s culture office as being connected to the “jubilee of artists and world of culture” that is part of the Catholic church’s Holy Year, which concludes on 6 January. But commentators say it is also about promoting Leo beyond the Catholic media and casting a positive light on the church. Last week the pope hosted Roberto De Niro.