Former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger has revealed that Pope Leo XIV personally offered to hear his confession during a meeting last year—an invitation the Catholic public figure says he declined.
Speaking at a “Dinner for Climate Change Action” held at the Stanglwirt restaurant in Tyrol, Austria, Schwarzenegger recounted his encounter with the Holy Father, which took place in early October. According to the former governor, Pope Leo XIV suggested stepping aside privately so Schwarzenegger could make his confession.
“The Pope asked me if we could step aside for a few minutes so that I could confess,” Schwarzenegger said. “I said, ‘You don’t want to do that, it would take three hours.’” According to the German newspaper BILD, the remark prompted laughter from the roughly 170 guests in attendance.
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Despite declining the offer of confession, Schwarzenegger emphasized his desire to continue collaborating with the Catholic Church and Pope Leo XIV on environmental issues. “Seven million people die every year around the world because of environmental pollution,” he said. “We have to do better.” He added that the Church’s global reach gives it immense influence, pointing to its vast number of churches, priests, and religious sisters.
Schwarzenegger described his meeting with the Pope as positive, saying they had “a wonderful conversation,” and expressed confidence that the Church wants to be involved in addressing environmental pollution, according to LifeSiteNews.
The comments have renewed discussion around the Pope’s high-profile engagement with climate advocacy. According to LifeSiteNews, a Vatican event titled “Raising Hope for Climate Justice,” held last year at Castel Gandolfo, drew criticism after Pope Leo XIV blessed a large block of melting ice on stage—a gesture some observers viewed as an endorsement of alarmist climate narratives.
Schwarzenegger, who was raised Catholic, has long held public positions that conflict with Church teaching. During his time as governor of California, he supported legal abortion and same-sex civil recognition, including officiating a same-sex wedding while in office. He and his former wife, Maria Shriver, separated in 2011 and finalized their divorce in 2021, according to LifeSiteNews.
While Schwarzenegger has positioned himself as an ally of the Church on environmental concerns, his remarks about declining confession have sparked renewed reflection among Catholics on the importance of repentance, reconciliation, and the sacrament’s central role in the life of the faithful—particularly when extended personally by the successor of Peter.
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