AL PACINO BECOMES FIRST HOLLYWOOD CELEBRITY TO MEET POPE LEO XIV

Al Pacino has made history as the first major Hollywood celebrity to have an official audience with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV.

The renowned actor, known for his roles in The Godfather and Serpico, met with the Pontiff at the Vatican on Monday. The 85-year-old veteran actor is currently in Italy filming Maserati: The Brothers, a biopic also starring Anthony Hopkins, Andy Garcia, and Jessica Alba, which focuses on the automotive magnates who shaped the luxury sports car industry.

"We are honored to announce that this morning His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received a delegation from the film 'Maserati: The Brothers' in private audience at the Holy See, including Academy Award-winning actor Al Pacino and film producer Andrea Iervolino," Iervolino stated in a press release.

The statement continued: "The meeting was a moment of profound spiritual and cultural inspiration, focusing on shared values that are at the heart of both the Catholic Church and the film: family unity, love, compassion, and the importance of contributing to the common good."

It added: "These values, which Pope Leo XIV has consistently emphasized in his recent messages to the world, resonate deeply with the story of the Maserati brothers: a family whose legacy was built not only on innovation and excellence but on profound mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared vision."

Pope Leo XIV, elected last month, is notable as the first Pontiff from the United States of America and also the first member of the Augustinian Order to become Pope.