In a rare and unannounced moment that bridged faith and film, Pope Leo XIV received Hollywood legend Al Pacino in a private audience at the Vatican on June 17. The meeting, which has not been officially confirmed by the Holy See Press Office, was made public through a series of photos and a press release shared by Italian film producer Andrea Iervolino.
The unexpected audience took place while Pacino and Iervolino were in Italy filming The Brothers, a movie about the origins of the Maserati automobile brand. The film, which stars Pacino and is produced by Iervolino, “chronicles the vicissitudes of the Maserati brothers” and celebrates Italy’s legacy of innovation and craftsmanship.
Why did a secular film project lead to an audience with the Pope? According to Iervolino, the meeting was not merely about cinema or celebrity, but rather a shared reflection on deeper themes. “We are honored to announce that this morning His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received in private audience at the Holy See a delegation from the film Maserati,” Iervolino wrote in his statement. He described the encounter as “a moment of profound spiritual and cultural inspiration, centered on the shared values that are at the heart of both the Catholic Church and the film: family unity, love, compassion, and the importance of contributing to the common good.”
These values—deeply rooted in Catholic teaching—have long been elevated by the Church as essential to both personal holiness and societal peace. The Pope’s quiet welcome of artists who explore these themes is a reminder that the Church has always valued the evangelizing power of beauty, storytelling, and culture.
A photo posted by Iervolino shows the Holy Father smiling and holding a miniature Maserati, a gift symbolizing Italian engineering and creativity. Though the meeting remains unofficial in the eyes of the Vatican press office, it visibly reflected Pope Leo XIV’s continued engagement with the modern world—particularly in areas where art and conscience meet.
As the film industry increasingly searches for meaning in a noisy culture, this surprising encounter sends a powerful message: when creative work upholds truth, beauty, and human dignity, the Church is willing to listen.
Pacino got his photo op and Pope Leo got a toy?
Why are the Hollywood types always accommodated at the Vatican?
Glad to see dialogue is happening with Pope Leo XIV. Maybe Hollywood will somehow get faith back into their lives and their craft! This is needed badly, the movie industry has gone so far off the deep end, I don’t even watch certain actors and/or movies that just are so full of ‘woke’ culture themes. Go back to the 1950’s shows where life was real, not a bunch of evil & lies with distorted reality. Just my humble opinion…