Picture this: the leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, opening up about his all-time favorite films – and they're wholesome classics that scream family-friendly vibes! If you've ever wondered what movies capture the heart of a pontiff, get ready to dive into his surprisingly tame top picks, just in time for a star-studded Vatican bash with Hollywood's elite.

Buckle up, because ahead of this groundbreaking event where faith meets the silver screen, Pope Leo XIV has spilled the beans on his four beloved movies in a fun video shared by Variety. And no, they're not edge-of-your-seat thrillers like 'The Conclave' or supernatural scares such as 'The Exorcist' – think heartwarming tales that uplift the spirit and emphasize hope, redemption, and the beauty of life. These choices feel like a cozy blanket on a chilly night, perfectly aligning with the Pope's message of positivity and moral grounding.

In that engaging clip (check it out here: https://twitter.com/variety/status/1988280565339160729), he spotlights 'It’s a Wonderful Life' from 1946, the iconic holiday favorite starring Jimmy Stewart as a man who learns the profound impact of his everyday kindnesses on those around him – a story that's become synonymous with seasonal inspiration and has influenced countless feel-good narratives since. Next up is the enchanting 1965 musical 'The Sound of Music' (https://amzn.to/4ozb9qv), where Julie Andrews shines as Maria, a spirited governess who brings joy and songs like 'Do-Re-Mi' to the von Trapp family amid World War II's shadows, reminding us how music and family can conquer adversity. Then there's 1980's poignant drama 'Ordinary People' (https://amzn.to/4p7WAKx), featuring Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore in a raw exploration of a family's struggle with grief and healing after tragedy strikes – a film that doesn't shy away from emotional depths but ultimately points toward reconciliation. Rounding out the list is the 1997 Italian gem 'Life Is Beautiful' (La Vita è Bella) (https://amzn.to/47SSiQi), starring Roberto Benigni as a father using humor and imagination to shield his son from the horrors of a concentration camp during the Holocaust; it's a masterful blend of laughter and tears that celebrates the power of love and innocence in the darkest times.

Now, here's a fun fact that movie buffs will love: out of these treasures, three snagged Academy Awards, and the one that didn't is often hailed as one of the Oscars' biggest oversights ever. For instance, 'The Sound of Music' triumphed with Best Picture and Best Director honors, capturing the magic of its sweeping romance and anti-war themes. 'Ordinary People' also claimed Best Picture and Best Director, praised for its honest look at mental health and family dynamics – topics that were groundbreaking back then. 'Life Is Beautiful' walked away with Best Foreign Language Film and Best Actor for Benigni's tour-de-force performance, proving international stories can touch universal hearts. Meanwhile, 'It’s a Wonderful Life' earned nods in five categories, including Best Picture, but heartbreakingly lost to 'The Best Years of Our Lives' that year – a decision still debated among cinephiles for overlooking its timeless message of community and self-worth.

And this is the part most people miss: could we be on the cusp of something even more exciting, like a Vatican edition of the Criterion Closet series (https://www.criterion.com/closet-picks), where the Pope picks indie gems or arthouse deep cuts? That would be a dream for film enthusiasts craving more layers to his tastes!

As Variety reports in detail (https://variety.com/2025/film/global/pope-leo-cate-blanchett-chris-pine-hollywood-audience-1236574826/), Pope Leo is gearing up to host a special Vatican gathering this Saturday, November 15th – a date circled in red for cinephiles and faithful alike. The guest list reads like a red-carpet dream: A-listers such as Cate Blanchett, known for her versatile roles in epics like 'Elizabeth'; Chris Pine, the charming star of blockbusters like 'Star Trek'; Viggo Mortensen, the intense actor from 'The Lord of the Rings'; Alison Brie, beloved for her wit in 'Community'; Dave Franco, bringing comedy flair from films like '21 Jump Street'; and the elegant Monica Bellucci, a fixture in international cinema. Joining them are acclaimed directors including Spike Lee, whose bold films like 'Do the Right Thing' tackle social issues head-on; Gus Van Sant, master of introspective stories like 'Good Will Hunting'; George Miller, the visionary behind 'Mad Max: Fury Road'; and Giuseppe Tornatore, the Italian maestro of nostalgic tales like 'Cinema Paradiso'.

This high-profile assembly, put together by the Vatican's culture office, ties into the Catholic Church's Holy Year festivities – a special jubilee period every 25 years focused on renewal, forgiveness, and spiritual pilgrimage. For beginners unfamiliar with Holy Years, think of it as a global reset button for the faith community, drawing millions to Rome for reflection and celebration.

In an official statement, the Vatican explained that the Pope's goal is to foster deeper conversations with the film industry, uncovering how creative artistry can support the Church's outreach and champion universal human values like compassion, justice, and dignity. It's a forward-thinking approach that sees movies not just as entertainment, but as tools for inspiration and moral storytelling.

But here's where it gets controversial: this outreach feels like a bold pivot from his predecessor. The late Pope Francis did welcome TV personalities like Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon for a casual chat in June 2024, but Pope Leo is clearly ramping things up by wooing Hollywood's biggest names. Is this a savvy way to modernize the Church's image in a media-saturated world, or does it risk diluting sacred traditions with celebrity glamour? Some might argue it's a necessary bridge to younger generations hooked on streaming, while traditionalists could see it as too cozy with Tinseltown's excesses.

Lately, Pope Leo has been on a roll with celebrity meetups, sitting down with acting legend Al Pacino back in June – perhaps chatting about 'The Godfather's' ethical dilemmas – and Robert De Niro just last week, whose roles often explore human flaws and redemption. Adding to his media-savvy side, he recently called out the pitfalls of clickbait headlines (https://consequence.net/2025/10/pope-leo-xiv-clickbait-comments/) in a closed-door session with journalists, stressing the need for truth over sensationalism, and pushed tech giants to tackle AI's ethical challenges proactively – a timely warning as artificial intelligence reshapes storytelling in films.

PopeLeoXIV (https://twitter.com/hashtag/PopeLeoXIV?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) shares his four favorite movies of all time.

Catch the full scoop on the Pope's ambitious Hollywood summit at the Vatican: https://t.co/yqWaKaM20e pic.twitter.com/roRp1M1jlI (https://t.co/roRp1M1jlI)

— Variety (@Variety) November 11, 2025 (https://twitter.com/Variety/status/1988280565339160729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

So, what do you make of the Pope's movie lineup – does it perfectly capture the essence of faith-inspired cinema, or would you love to see him embrace edgier picks? Share your thoughts in the comments: agree that these films promote the best of human values, or think Hollywood's influence on the Vatican is a double-edged sword? Let's discuss!