Pope Leo XIV has shared his top four all-time favourite films ahead of his upcoming meeting with a host of Hollywood actors and award-winning filmmakers at the Vatican.
The 70-year-old pontiff, who made history as the first American-born pope following his election in May, revealed his cinematic preferences in a video released by the Vatican on Wednesday. His choices include a mix of timeless classics and emotional dramas that, according to the Vatican, hold “deep personal and spiritual significance” for him.
At the top of his list is Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), starring James Stewart — a film celebrated for its themes of hope, redemption, and the value of human life. The pope described it as a story that “reminds us how one person’s kindness can change an entire community.”
His second pick, Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music (1965), is a musical beloved across generations. Pope Leo noted that the film’s portrayal of family unity, courage, and moral conviction in the face of adversity reflects the kind of resilience “the modern world greatly needs.”
The pope’s third favourite, Robert Redford’s Ordinary People (1980), struck him for its honest depiction of loss, forgiveness, and healing within families — themes that he often addresses in his homilies on compassion and mental well-being.
Finally, he selected Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful (1997), the Oscar-winning Italian classic that tells the story of a father’s love and sacrifice during the horrors of the Second World War. The Vatican said the film “embodies the triumph of love and humanity even in times of despair.”
Pope Leo will host a special audience on Saturday at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, where he will meet renowned stars including Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, Chris Pine, Dave Franco, and Monica Bellucci. Acclaimed directors such as Spike Lee, Judd Apatow, George Miller, and Giuseppe Tornatore are also expected to attend.
According to the Vatican, the gathering aims “to strengthen dialogue between faith and art” and to explore cinema’s power to convey human values, empathy, and moral reflection. The event forms part of the Catholic Church’s ongoing Holy Year celebrations, which highlight themes of renewal, creativity, and unity.
