Spike Lee gifts pope Knicks jersey as pontiff meets film stars
Spike Lee presented Pope Leo XIV with a New York Knicks jersey on Saturday as the US pope welcomed film stars to the Vatican, where he called cinema a vehicle of hope. Spike Lee gifts pope Knicks jersey as pontiff meets film stars More than 100 film industry professionals, whether actors, directors or producers, were received by the pope inside the Apostolic Palace, including Cate Blanchett, Alison Brie, Judd Apatow and Viggo Mortensen. “His words were extraordinary and I wish cultural ministers around the world would take heed. He talked about compassion and leaning into the problems of the world,” Blanchett told journalists following the audience. Italians Monica Bellucci, Dario Argento and Matteo Garrone were also onhand for the audience with the pope, who shook hands individually with all the invitees, including director Lee, an ardent Knicks fan who presented him with the basketball team’s jersey. “He’s the 14th Pope , so was number 14. And the back, it said Pope Leo,” Lee said afterwards, explaining that the Knicks had three players from Villanova University …
