“I always perceive that human dimension in films.” A priest Marek Krošlák adds that among his favourite movies is J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Tolkien, one of the few Catholics in England at the time, crafted a story without overt religious themes, yet it is rich with symbolism.
With enthusiasm, he highlights the presence of friendship, self-sacrifice, and emotional depth - men who are kind, respectful, and even shed tears for one another. The narrative also echoes the biblical motif of the struggle between good and evil, a theme equally prominent in Marvel superhero films. Marcus Pittman, a Christian documentary filmmaker from Virginia, echoes this sentiment in an interview with The Guardian: “A lot of Christians I know watch Marvel movies. There’s good versus evil, there’s a hero, they’re clean. They’re very Biblical. Superhero movies have a massive Christian fanbase. I see kids coming to church dressed as Superman all the time.”
This positive engagement marks a significant shift from the historical tensions between Christianity and Hollywood. In 1913, some U.S. states banned cinemas within 200 feet of churches, reflecting deep suspicion. Today, however, the Church actively seeks collaboration. In November 2025, Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, hosted a landmark Vatican audience with Hollywood stars such as Cate Blanchett, Monica Bellucci, Spike Lee, Viggo Mortensen, Chris Pine and more. The event aimed to deepen dialogue between the Church and cinema, exploring how artistic creativity can promote human and Christian values a challenging world.
This gathering underscores a new shift: the Church now views film as a partner in fostering hope, addressing societal wounds like violence, poverty, and loneliness, and amplifying marginalized voices.
However, a major challenge remains in how biblical stories and saints’ lives are portrayed. “American studios often produce such films, which can inspire but also distort reality. On one hand, it’s good if it motivates someone,” Krošlák notes, “but I see a big pitfall: it always slightly deforms the view. These depictions frequently feel detached from everyday life, portraying miracles as routine or suffering endured with effortless grace.” Papal teachings from John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis emphasize that holiness is not about moral perfection but about accepting God’s grace and responding to it. Krošlák sees a risk in films that overemphasize emotion and subjectivity, creating overly idealized figures.
Even in non-religious films and series, Christian characters are often stereotyped as foolish, villainous, or irritating, such as for example Ned Flanders from The Simpsons, as noted by the nonprofit news organisation Religion Unplugged.
Krošlák points out that Christianity inherently involves evangelization – sharing the good news. Yet, this can sometimes be mistaken for annoyance, manipulation, or moralizing. He gives an example of Slovakia, his home country, where some politicians seek to build ‘walls against liberalism’ by enshrining Christian values in laws and constitutions. “So, in my opinion, it's quite a fair criticism because unfortunately, it sometimes happens to us, and I would even say that it's not all that uncommon. However I want to emphasize that this is not Christianity. True Christianity is profoundly human—it doesn’t restrict, condemn, or moralize anyone.” Krošlák argues.
He then explains further, that Christianity can spark a profound moral revolution by encouraging authentic, truly human living—but never through force. Authentic Gospel proclamation brings flourishing, as seen in Europe’s Christian roots, which laid the foundation for its economic, social, and political development. “Figures like St. Benedict, who founded monasteries 1,500 years ago, turned them into centers of learning and culture, paving the way for universities and research institutions centuries later.”
The movie industry might represent Christians and saints in ways we perceive as right or wrong, but the real question is always: to what extent? Marek Krošlák sees great fragility in overly explicit approaches and inspires us to seek Christian values also in works rich with good human values, since they are essentially the same. In this light, by meeting with Hollywood stars, Pope Leo XIV outlines this evolving relationship between faith and film, highlighting its shift toward greater openness.