by InTrieste
Oscar-winning actor Al Pacino was granted a private audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday, becoming the first Hollywood star to be officially welcomed by the newly elected pontiff.
The meeting, held behind closed doors in the Apostolic Palace, brought together Pacino and a delegation from the upcoming biographical film Maserati: The Brothers, including Italian-Canadian producer Andrea Iervolino. Describing the encounter as “a moment of profound spiritual and cultural inspiration,” Iervolino emphasized the symbolic resonance of bridging faith, art, and cinematic storytelling.
Pacino, 84, is starring in the film as Vincenzo Vaccaro, a pivotal early investor in the legendary Italian car manufacturer Maserati. Currently shooting on location in Italy, the movie aims to chart the dramatic rise of the Maserati family and their influence on 20th-century automotive design.
While the film’s broader cast features acclaimed actors Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia, and Jessica Alba, none of them attended the papal audience.
Though no formal statement was issued by the Vatican following the meeting, insiders noted Pope Leo XIV’s growing interest in the intersection of faith and popular culture — a marked shift from his predecessors’ more cautious engagement with Hollywood.
The visit comes at a prolific time in Pacino’s late career. Earlier this year, industry reports confirmed he would star opposite Katie Holmes in a new thriller based on the 1973 kidnapping of oil heir John Paul Getty III in Rome — a project that further cements the actor’s recent gravitation toward roles grounded in Italian history and intrigue.
Monday’s meeting marked a rare confluence of the sacred and the cinematic, offering a glimpse into the Vatican’s evolving cultural diplomacy and Pacino’s enduring global stature.
