Pope Leo XIV Shares His Favorite Films Ahead of Star-Studded Vatican Event

Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born leader of the Catholic Church, is blending faith and film in a way no pontiff has before.

Ahead of a landmark Vatican event uniting religion and Hollywood, the 70-year-old pope revealed his four favorite movies — It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), The Sound of Music (1965), Ordinary People (1980), and Life Is Beautiful (1997) — each known for its emotional storytelling and moral depth.

In a video released by the Vatican, Leo described these films as stories that have profoundly shaped his view of compassion, family, and hope.

The announcement comes just days before the pontiff hosts an unprecedented audience at the Apostolic Palace with stars including Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, and Monica Bellucci, alongside directors such as Spike Lee, Judd Apatow, George Miller, and Giuseppe Tornatore.

The gathering, organized as part of the Catholic Church’s Holy Year celebrations, aims to open a dialogue between faith and the world of cinema — exploring how storytelling can convey spiritual truths and universal values.