SHOTLIST

VATICAN (NOV. 15, 2025) (ANADOLU-ACCESS ALL)

1. WIDE SHOT OF CROWD OUTSIDE ST. PETER’S BASILICA

2. SWISS GUARDS WALKING DOWN ON STAIRS

3. SCREEN SHOWING ACTRESS MONICA BELLUCCI

4. SCREEN SHOWING POPE SPEAKING DURING MEETING WITH HOLYWOOD STARS AND FILMMAKERS (2 SHOTS)

5. SCREEN SHOWING POPE LEO SHAKING HANDS WITH HIS GUEST

6. SCREEN SHOWING SPIKE LEE PRESENTING POPE LEO A NEW YORK KNICKS JERSEY

7. GUESTS, ACTORS, FILMMAKERS AND DIRECTORS, WALKING IN CORRIDOR

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMERICAN FILMMAKER SPIKE LEE, SAYING:

"New York Nicks Jersey, he's a 14th Pope, so with number 14, and the backer said ‘Pope Leo’. And the reason why there's a connection, because Pope with the Villanova, which is a university in Pennsylvania, and the Knicks have three players that went to Villanova. I'm not really here to talk about politics, I was surprised to me that I even got it. I was invited, so I've never been to Rome many, many times. But the first time I met the Pope, it was a great day."

9. (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMERICAN FILMMAKER GUS VAN SANT, SAYING:

"Beauty and cinema, I think this is his main topic. And, you know, the effects of story in relation to human kindness and hope. I think he was feeling that focusing too much on the wounds of the world is detrimental. I think it's one of the things, you know, one of the arts that, like, is a message of humanity or for humanity, by humanity. The speech, yeah, it was very nice, very nice. And it's interesting that he's from the U.S. I just said thank you for the audience, and that was it.”

10. REPORTER ASKING: “Is it funny for you having an American podcast?”

11. (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMERICAN FILMMAKER GUS VAN SANT, SAYING:

“No. Well, it's interesting. I think it's a new thing. I don't think there has been one before.

12. (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLİSH) AUSTRALIAN ACTRESS CATE BLANCHETT, SAYING:

“I work with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and it was a bracelet that I wear in solidarity with people who are displaced. In fact, Barnier and the International Rotterdam Film Festival, we've developed a fund for displaced filmmakers, for refugee filmmakers, because those voices often get marginalised from the mainstream. to be able to mention that to His Holiness today was really... And His Holiness' words today were a real charge not to shy away from difficult, painful stories. And he was talking about tears that people are unable to shed in their everyday life, as well as laughter, you know, that that bottle happens on the scenes. He really urged us to... to go back into our day jobs and inspire people and create those spaces. Festivals like Rotterdam provide those spaces for people to gather, so that's wonderful.”

VATICAN - NOV. 15: Pope Leo XIV met with representatives of the film world at the Vatican on Saturday, Nov. 15, calling on cinema stars and filmmakers not to be afraid of confronting the "wounds of the world," emphasizing the power of film to protect human dignity and inspire hope.


The head of the Vatican and spiritual leader of the world's Catholics addressed a gathering of international film industry figures at an event in the Vatican.

" Good cinema and those who create and star in it have the power to recover the authenticity of imagery in order to safeguard and promote human dignity," The 70-year-old, Chicago-born Leo stated in his speech. " Do not be afraid to confront the world’s wounds. "

He further highlighted that cinema is not merely a screen showing moving images but possesses a profound capacity to foster hope among audiences.

The event brought together a host of prominent names, including American director Spike Lee, Australian actress Cate Blanchett, Italian actresses Monica Bellucci and Maria Grazia Cucinotta, American director Gus Van Sant, and Italian director Marco Bellocchio. Turkish director Ferzan Ozpetek, who resides in Italy, was also among the attendees.

Following the meeting with the Pontiff, American director Spike Lee said, "The first time I met the Pope, it was a great day."

In a gesture of goodwill, Lee presented the Pope with a New York Knicks jersey, customized with the number 14 and the name "Papa Leo."

Australian actress Cate Blanchett noted the Pope urged them to "inspire people and create those spaces" for emotion.

He (Pope Leo) was talking about tears that people are unable to shed in their everyday life, as well as laughter… He really urged us to... to go back into our day jobs and inspire people and create those spaces,” said Blanchett.

American director Gus Van Sant appreciated the address, describing it as "a message of humanity."

He described the experience as "interesting," particularly noting the significance of an American Pope, and said he appreciated the Pontiff's address.


Reporting by Baris Seckin

Writing by Sibel Uygun