Ahead of a special audience with Hollywood celebrities and Oscar-winning directors at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV recently revealed his four favorite movies.
According to Leo, the first pope from the United States, tearjerker, a film which tells the tale of an angel who was sent from heaven to help a desperate family man hold a special place in his heart.
In a video released by the Vatican on Wednesday, he mentioned several notable titles.
Among his selections is Frank Capra’s classic 1946 film “It’s a Wonderful Life,” featuring James Stewart as a family man in need of help from an angel sent from heaven.
READ ALSO: Ned Nwoko Reveals Who Introduced Regina Daniels to Him
Leo also highlighted Robert Wise’s musical “The Sound of Music” (1965) and Robert Redford’s family drama “Ordinary People” (1980).
He concluded his list with Roberto Benigni’s “Life Is Beautiful” (1997), which tells the story of a father trying to protect his son from the horrors of a WWII concentration camp.
The Vatican stated that Leo chose these films based on their significance to him.
Leo, who was elected in May, will host a special audience on Saturday at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. Attendees will include stars such as Cate Blanchett, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, Dave Franco, and Monica Bellucci. Directors like Spike Lee, Judd Apatow, George Miller, and Giuseppe Tornatore of “Cinema Paradiso” fame are also expected to be present.
The 70-year-old pontiff aims 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,” as stated by the Vatican. This event is being organized by the Vatican as part of the Catholic Church’s Holy Year celebrations.