These are a few of Pope Leo XIVβs favorite things -- movies.
If that sounds like a nod toward the 1965 classic, βThe Sound of Music,β that is correct. The 70-year-old pontiff shared his four favorite movies in a video posted on Tuesday by Variety. One of them was the Academy Award-winning film that starred Julie Andrews in the lead role.
The others were Frank Capraβs βItβs a Wonderful Lifeβ (1946), starring Jimmy Stewart; Robert Redfordβs βOrdinary Peopleβ (1980), starring Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore; and Roberto Benigniβs βLife Is Beautiful,β originally titled βLa vita Γ¨ bellaβ (1997).
The βSound of Musicβ choice prompted an Instagram comment from the movieβs account.
βSo, weβre one of his *favorite things*?β it asked.
The Chicago-born popeβs discussion of film comes as he is expected to host dozens of actors and directors in a βWorld of Cinemaβ gathering at his official residence in Vatican City. The event is part of the Roman Catholic Churchβs Jubilee celebration, which is held every 25 years.
The yearlong Jubilee began last December and will end in early January 2026.
Actors expected to attend include Cate Blanchett, Adam Scott, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, Alison Brie and Dave Franco. Directors who are expected to visit the Vatican for the event include Judd Apatow, Spike Lee, George Miller and Gus Van Sant.
Pope Leo -- the first pontiff elected from North America -- met with actor Robert De Niro at the Vatican last week, and in June, Al Pacino visited the pontiff.
βIn this Jubilee Year, Pope Leo XIV has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the World of Cinema, and in particular with actors and directors, exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values,β the Vatican said in a statement.
Leo XIVβs predecessor, Pope Francis hosted comedians Conan OβBrien, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, Tig Notaro and Chris Rock in June 2024.
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