Pope: Cinema Is More Than a Screen — It Sets Hope in Motion

Vatican City, November 16, 2025: Pope Leo XIV welcomed actors, filmmakers, directors, and scriptwriters to the Vatican on Saturday, urging them to become “witnesses of hope, beauty, and truth” in today’s world.

The audience, held in the Apostolic Palace, gathered members of the global film community. Nearly 130 years after cinema’s first public screening in 1895, Pope Leo emphasised the art form’s enduring importance. Cinema, he said, has moved beyond dazzling viewers with visual effects and has evolved into a medium that helps people contemplate life, recognise vulnerability, and express a longing for infinity.

The Pope described cinema as “a popular art in the noblest sense,” noting that genuine filmmaking is intended for all and accessible to all. He remarked that films offer more than entertainment; they provide a narrative of a person’s spiritual journey. By prompting viewers to examine their own lives and rediscover hope, cinema becomes “more than moving pictures” because “it sets hope in motion.”

Pope Leo highlighted the introspection that cinema inspires, reflecting how audiences can look at their experiences with fresh eyes. Entering a cinema, he noted, is like crossing a threshold where heightened senses and imagination open people to unexpected insights.

He said that while many seek entertainment, cinema reaches those searching for meaning, justice, and beauty, especially in a world dominated by screens. He described cinema as “an intersection of desires, memories, and questions.”

The Pope also warned that cinemas and theatres — “the beating hearts of our communities” — are in decline. He urged these cultural institutions to continue their mission of preserving artistic and social value.

Authentic cinema, he said, does not merely console but challenges. Art reveals possibilities and calls people towards beauty, making it “a workshop of hope” where individuals rediscover themselves and their purpose.

Linking cinema to the upcoming Jubilee Year, Pope Leo said the presence of artists from around the world is a sign of hope. He called filmmakers “pilgrims of hope,” whose journeys are shaped by shared memories, emotions, and images rather than distance.

Pope Leo stressed the Church’s appreciation for artists and expressed his wish to strengthen the relationship between cinema and the Church. He encouraged filmmakers to confront the world’s problems, noting that “good cinema does not exploit pain; it recognises and explores it.”

He praised the collaborative nature of filmmaking and affirmed that every professional involved contributes to the final creation. At the end of the audience, artists greeted the Pope, with Cate Blanchett offering him a bracelet and Spike Lee presenting a New York Knicks jersey.

Pope: Cinema Is More Than a Screen — It Sets Hope in Motion

Latest News