Pope Leo is bringing Hollywood to the Vatican.

The first pope to hail from the U.S., who was chosen as Pope Francis' successor in May, is scheduled to meet with actors and directors on Nov. 15. The invitees include "Blue Jasmine" Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, "Severance" star Adam Scott, Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike Lee, Chris Pine, "Mad Max" saga director George Miller and "Drugstore Cowboy" director Gus Van Sant.

On- and off-screen partners Alison Brie and Dave Franco, "The Lord of the Rings" alumnus Viggo Mortensen and "American History X" director Tony Kaye are also among the people expected to meet with the pontiff.

The pope "has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the world of cinema. ... exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values," the Vatican said in a Nov. 10 statement.

The Vatican's culture office is organizing the Nov. 15 event as part of the Catholic Church's ongoing Holy Year. It's rare for the pope to host Hollywood celebrities. His predecessor Pope Francis hosted comedians including Conan O'Brien, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon and Chris Rock in June 2024.

In June, Al Pacino became the first Hollywood star to have a private audience with the pope.

As part of the announcement, the Vatican also shared the Chicago-born pope's favorite films: "It's a Wonderful Life" (1946), "The Sound of Music" (1965), "Ordinary People" (1980) and "Life Is Beautiful" (1997).

Robert De Niro's 'very special' meeting with Pope Leo

The announcement comes after Pope Leo met with Robert De Niro and his children, Julian De Niro and Drena De Niro, at the Vatican on Nov. 7.

"He's a good guy. … I was very, very happy to meet him," the "Taxi Driver" actor told CNN afterward. "My grandson, who died of an overdose a little over two years ago, his name was Leo. So my daughter gave him his card and it was just a nice moment, very special."

De Niro's daughter, Drena, opened up in a Nov. 9 Instagram post about how having an audience with the pope was an "honor that will stay with me for the rest of my days."

"My little Leo has been showering us with so many signs of his constant presence this entire trip," Drena De Niro captioned a series of photos of the family members' visit.

"The warmth and kindness in Pope Leo‘s eyes when he accepted my small token of reverence and affection, asking that my son remain in his presence and grace. I was given this blessing not only in my Leo's memory, but in acknowledgment of all the young beautiful lives that have been taken too soon."

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, 19, died following an accidental drug overdose in July 2023. On Oct. 30, an indictment charging five men with distributing fentanyl and other drugs that resulted in the overdose deaths of three teens was unsealed.

The defendants, whose ages range from 22 to 29, are accused of operating "a criminal network that distributed thousands of counterfeit prescription opioid pills laced with fentanyl, among other drugs, to teenagers and young adults living in New York City." Over the period of three months, three 19-year-olds, including Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, died after ingesting fentanyl pills that had allegedly been distributed by the defendants.

If you or someone you know needs help battling a substance abuse addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

Contributing: Joshua McElwee, Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pope Leo announces his first celebrity event at the Vatican — see the guest list

Reporting by KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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