In November 2025, the Vatican witnessed a historic intersection of traditional faith and modern storytelling. Pope Leo XIV, the first pontiff born in the United States, publicly shared a curated list of his four favorite films of all time. This revelation came as part of the 2025 Jubilee celebrations, a significant year in the Catholic Church dedicated to penance, hope, and renewal. By highlighting these specific cinematic works, the Pope aimed to foster a deeper dialogue between the Church and the global creative community, emphasizing themes of human dignity, resilience, and the enduring power of hope.

The selection of these films—ranging from mid-century classics to late-20th-century dramas—provides a unique window into the spiritual and cultural priorities of a pontiff who has often spoken about the importance of art in articulating the "questions that dwell within us." The films chosen by Pope Leo XIV are It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), The Sound of Music (1965), Ordinary People (1980), and Life Is Beautiful (1997).

The Spiritual Dimension of Cinema at the Vatican

The Vatican's relationship with cinema has evolved significantly over the past century. While earlier eras may have viewed the silver screen with caution, modern pontiffs have increasingly recognized film as a profound medium for exploring the human condition. Pope Leo XIV’s predecessor, Pope Francis, was known for his appreciation of Italian Neorealism, particularly the works of Federico Fellini and Roberto Rossellini. However, Pope Leo XIV, born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago, brings a distinctly different perspective—one shaped by the narrative power of the English-speaking world and a deep appreciation for stories that balance psychological complexity with moral clarity.

During a special audience at the Vatican’s Clementine Hall on November 15, 2025, the Pope addressed an audience of prominent actors and directors, including Cate Blanchett, Spike Lee, and Robert De Niro. He noted that authentic film does not merely comfort but challenges the viewer. "Beauty is not just a means of escape," he stated. "It is, above all, an invocation." The four films he selected serve as a testament to this philosophy, each offering a glimpse of what he described as the "mystery of God" reflected in human experience.

It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): The Theology of Individual Worth

Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is perhaps the most iconic film on the Pope’s list. Released in the aftermath of World War II, the movie tells the story of George Bailey, a man who has spent his entire life sacrificing his personal dreams for the sake of his community in Bedford Falls. When a financial crisis pushes him to the brink of despair on Christmas Eve, a guardian angel named Clarence is sent to show him what the world would have been like if he had never been born.

George Bailey as a Secular Saint

The Pope’s appreciation for this film likely stems from its profound affirmation of the value of a single life. In an era where individuals often feel like cogs in a massive global machine, It’s a Wonderful Life argues that every person’s actions have a ripple effect that touches countless others. George Bailey does not perform miracles in the traditional sense; his "holiness" is found in his everyday integrity, his commitment to his family, and his refusal to let the greedy Mr. Potter destroy the dignity of the working class.

From a theological perspective, the film explores the concept of "communion." The final scene, where the entire town comes together to save George, is a cinematic representation of the body of Christ—a community where the burdens of one are carried by many. The Pope noted that the film’s "Capra-esque" idealism is bolstered by a very real reflection on common virtues like hard work and neighborly love.

The Dark Night of the Soul

While often remembered as a sentimental holiday classic, the film contains dark, almost existentialist moments. George’s despair is real, and his contemplation of suicide is a "dark night of the soul" that many people experience. By including this film, Pope Leo XIV acknowledges that faith is not an absence of struggle, but a journey through it. The presence of the angel Clarence provides a gentle reminder that grace often arrives in unexpected forms, helping us to see the "wonderful" nature of life even when it feels like a failure.

The Sound of Music (1965): Vocation and Courage in Times of Crisis

The second film on the list, Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music, is a masterpiece of the musical genre. Based on the true story of the von Trapp family, it follows Maria, a young postulant who is sent from her abbey to be a governess for seven children. Along the way, she falls in love with their father, Captain von Trapp, and eventually helps the family escape the rise of Nazism in Austria.

The Search for God’s Will

For a Pope, the theme of "vocation" is central. Maria’s journey is not just about finding a husband; it is about finding where God truly wants her to be. The Mother Abbess’s advice to Maria—"Climb every mountain, search high and low, follow every byway, every path you know"—is a spiritual directive. It suggests that one’s calling is not always found behind convent walls but can be discovered in the messy, joyful world of family and love.

The Pope’s choice of this film highlights the importance of finding joy and music even under the shadow of political evil. The von Trapp family’s refusal to compromise with the Nazi regime is a powerful example of moral courage. Their escape over the mountains is both a physical and a spiritual liberation, illustrating that true faith requires one to stand up against the ideologies of hate and exclusion.

The Universal Language of Music

The Sound of Music also celebrates the power of art to heal and unite. Maria uses music to bridge the gap between a grieving father and his distant children. In the Vatican’s view, this mirrors the role of the Church: to use the "universal language" of love and beauty to bring people together. The Pope remarked that the film’s "pleasant fantasy" and "charming music" serve to brighten the spirit, offering a necessary respite from the harsh realities of the world.

Ordinary People (1980): Grace and Healing in the Midst of Grief

Perhaps the most surprising inclusion on the Pope’s list is Robert Redford’s Ordinary People. Unlike the first two films, which are often viewed as uplifting and family-friendly, Ordinary People is a searing psychological drama. It explores the disintegration of an upper-middle-class family in the wake of a tragic boating accident that killed the eldest son. The surviving son, Conrad, struggles with survivor’s guilt and a suicide attempt, while his parents, played by Donald Sutherland and Mary Tyler Moore, remain trapped in their own inability to communicate or express grief.

Addressing the Human Fragility

Pope Leo XIV’s selection of this film demonstrates a desire to engage with the modern world’s psychological and emotional complexities. The film suggests that the "complacent and materialistic environment" of the characters contributes to their instability—a theme that aligns with the Pope’s frequent critiques of modern consumer culture.

The film is "oddly cold and distant" in its cinematography, reflecting the emotional landscape of the characters. However, it is precisely this lack of easy answers that makes it significant. The Pope’s choice suggests that the Church must be present in the "ordinary" tragedies of life—the silent suffering in suburban homes, the brokenness of families, and the long, difficult road to psychological recovery.

The Role of Compassion

In Ordinary People, the path to healing begins not with a grand religious gesture, but with a compassionate psychiatrist, Dr. Berger (played by Judd Hirsch), who helps Conrad confront his pain. From a spiritual perspective, this can be seen as the work of the "wounded healer." The Pope has often spoken about the "capacity to astonish" and the need for tears we "didn't know we needed to express." Ordinary People articulates these hidden questions of the heart, showing that grace often begins with the simple, courageous act of being honest about one's pain.

Life Is Beautiful (1997): Imagination as a Shield Against Evil

The final film in the "Leo Quartet" is Roberto Benigni’s Life Is Beautiful (La Vita è Bella). This Italian-language film tells the story of Guido, a Jewish man who uses his incredible imagination and sense of humor to shield his young son from the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp. By pretending that the entire experience is an elaborate game with a grand prize, Guido preserves his son’s innocence even in the face of genocide.

The Power of Paternal Love

The Pope’s appreciation for Life Is Beautiful centers on the theme of sacrificial paternal love. Guido is a "fool for love" who uses every ounce of his creativity to protect his child. This mirrors the Christian concept of a father’s love that is willing to give everything, even life itself, for the sake of the beloved. The Pope noted that the film is a "moving human story about a father’s irrepressible determination."

Navigating Controversy and Tragedy

It is worth noting that Life Is Beautiful has faced criticism from some historians and survivors who find its "lighthearted treatment" of the Holocaust problematic. Critics have argued that using sentimental comedy to depict such profound atrocities can be "existentially dishonest."

However, Pope Leo XIV’s inclusion of the film suggests a different interpretation. For him, the film is not a documentary about the Holocaust, but a "bittersweet comic fable" about the resilience of the human spirit. It argues that even in the darkest places imaginable, hope can be maintained through the power of the mind and the heart. The film suggests that beauty—and even humor—can be a form of resistance against the dehumanizing forces of evil. By choosing this film, the Pope affirms that the mission of the Church is to give hope even when circumstances seem hopeless.

A New Era of Dialogue: The 2025 Vatican Cinema Audience

The disclosure of these four films was more than just a list of favorites; it was a strategic move by the Vatican’s Culture and Education Department to engage with the "world of cinema." The event held on November 15, 2025, was the first of its kind, bringing together a diverse group of Hollywood stars and international directors.

Promoting Human Values Through Art

Pope Leo XIV greeted the filmmakers in the Clementine Hall, urging them to continue to challenge and inspire. He asked them to "defend slowness when it has a purpose, silence when it speaks, and difference when it is evocative." This message reflects a concern that modern cinema is often too fast-paced and geared toward pure entertainment, losing its ability to provoke deep reflection.

The presence of directors like Spike Lee and Judd Apatow, alongside actors like Cate Blanchett and Viggo Mortensen, highlighted the breadth of the Pope’s invitation. By discussing films like Ordinary People and Life Is Beautiful, the Vatican is signaling that it is not only interested in "safe" religious content, but in any artistic work that "articulates the questions that dwell within us."

The Legacy of the First U.S. Pope

As the first Pope from the United States, Leo XIV’s tastes are inevitably seen through the lens of his American upbringing. Three of the four films are major Hollywood productions, reflecting the global influence of American storytelling. Yet, his inclusion of Benigni’s Italian masterpiece shows a bridge back to the Vatican’s geographic and cultural roots. This blend of perspectives characterizes his young papacy—one that is comfortable with modern media but remains anchored in timeless moral questions.

Summary of the "Leo Quartet"

The four films chosen by Pope Leo XIV—It’s a Wonderful Life, The Sound of Music, Ordinary People, and Life Is Beautiful—form a cohesive narrative about the human journey.

  1. Individual Worth: It’s a Wonderful Life reminds us that every life is significant.
  2. Vocation and Courage: The Sound of Music shows us the importance of following our true calling, even in the face of political evil.
  3. Healing through Truth: Ordinary People explores the difficult process of emotional and psychological recovery.
  4. Hope as Resistance: Life Is Beautiful demonstrates that imagination and love can transcend even the greatest horrors.

Together, these films offer a blueprint for what the Pope calls "the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values." They are stories that not only entertain but also offer a "glimpse, however small, of the mystery of God."

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Pope Leo XIV’s Movie Choices

Why did Pope Leo XIV share his favorite movies?

The Pope shared his favorite movies in November 2025 as part of the Catholic Church’s Holy Year (Jubilee) celebrations. His goal was to deepen the dialogue between the Church and the world of cinema, exploring how artistic creativity can support the mission of the church and promote human values.

What is the significance of the Pope being from the United States?

Being the first U.S.-born Pope, Leo XIV’s film choices reflect a familiarity with Hollywood classics and American storytelling traditions. This has been seen as an attempt to bridge the gap between the Vatican and the global cultural influence of American media.

Is Life Is Beautiful considered a controversial choice for a Pope?

Yes, some critics find the film's use of comedy in the context of the Holocaust to be problematic. However, the Pope focused on the film's themes of paternal sacrifice and the power of hope, viewing it as a fable about the resilience of the human spirit rather than a historical documentary.

How do these choices compare to previous Popes?

While previous Popes like Francis favored Italian Neorealism (e.g., La Strada, Rome, Open City), Leo XIV’s choices are considered more "mainstream" and traditional, though his inclusion of the psychological drama Ordinary People shows a willingness to engage with complex modern emotional themes.

Which actors and directors attended the Vatican cinema event?

The event on November 15, 2025, featured a "star-studded" audience including Cate Blanchett, Robert De Niro, Chris Pine, Viggo Mortensen, Monica Bellucci, Spike Lee, Judd Apatow, and George Miller, among others.