Pope Francis: The Unlikely Hollywood Star – You Won’t Believe Who He Inspired

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On April 21, 2025, the death of Pope Francis was deeply felt by many, as he left an indelible mark on the Catholic Church with his progressive initiatives. Notably, Pope Francis championed climate action, advocated for pastoral care for the LGBTQ+ community, and significantly, appointed women to important positions within the Vatican, signifying a promising shift in direction.

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In a unique fashion, never seen before among popes, Pope Francis has interacted with the media in ways that resonate with movie and TV enthusiasts. He has featured in documentaries like Pope Francis: A Man’s Journey and The Pope: Responses, and held discussions with filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, along with numerous others. By leaving his imprint in various forms, both directly and indirectly, this is how the legacy of Pope Francis will be perceived through the prism of entertainment.

Pope Francis Spoke With and Listened to Hollywood

Pope Francis was open to interacting with numerous Hollywood activists. Although it’s challenging to measure exactly how these encounters influenced the Church’s portrayal in the media, it would be misleading to claim they had no impact whatsoever.

Notably, Pope Francis conferred with Leonardo DiCaprio over global warming concerns, an issue that significantly shaped Pope Francis’s enduring legacy. Moreover, he met with Angelina Jolie in 2015 to discuss the broader refugee crisis and screen her film Unbroken.

Through a more significant impact, Pope Francis significantly impacted Mark Wahlberg’s religious devotion, as they frequently conversed about their faith and charitable work. Similarly, Martin Scorsese consulted with the Pope to gain his perspective during the preparation of an upcoming adaptation (still in development) of Shūsaku Endō’s The Life of Jesus. Previously, Scorsese adapted one of Endō’s works for 2016’s Silence. This is merely a brief snapshot of the notable figures who had audiences with Pope Francis. It is clear that his impact – through actions, words, and presence – has resonated deeply within the Hollywood community.

Pope Francis on the Screen

One notable screen presence of Pope Francis was seen in the 2019 Netflix Original film “The Two Popes,” where Jonathan Pryce portrayed Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, later known as Pope Francis. His acting earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, although he didn’t get to interact with the real Pope. Since the movie was filmed at the Vatican, Pryce conversed with many individuals close to the Pope; one even requested a DVD of the film to share with Pope Francis, believing he would enjoy it.

Pope Francis had a fondness for films, particularly “La Strada” (1954), “Rome, Open City” (1945), and “Babette’s Feast” (1987). This love of cinema might have played a role in him becoming the first Pope to star in a film as himself. He made his acting debut in the 2017 movie Beyond the Sun, making history as the first pope to appear in a scripted movie. The film was based on biblical teachings and aimed at strengthening faith among Catholics of all ages.

A Man of His Word” (released in 2018) are among these films. The former focuses on his discussions regarding climate change, while the latter captures his global travels and initiatives to combat issues such as poverty and internal Church abuses.

Regardless of personal religious beliefs, Pope Francis has been an exceptional individual who championed positive change and connected with the world in a unique way unlike any previous Popes. You can honor his legacy by watching The Pope: Answers on Hulu or Stories of a Generation featuring Pope Francis on Netflix.

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2025-04-22 00:32