In a powerful convergence of cinema and spirituality, veteran actor Al Pacino met Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican, as the upcoming film Maserati: The Brothers prepares for global release.
Veteran actor Al Pacino had a remarkable audience with the newly elected Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday, marking a unique meeting between a legendary figure of cinema and the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church.
Pacino was accompanied by Andrea Iervolino, the Italian producer of the much-anticipated biopic Maserati: The Brothers, a cinematic tribute to Italy’s iconic Maserati family. The film stars Pacino alongside Anthony Hopkins and Andy Garcia, and is shaping up to be one of the year’s most culturally significant international releases.
In a statement following the visit, Iervolino described the moment as a profound fusion of spiritual and cultural inspiration, underscoring values shared by both the Catholic Church and the film — namely, family unity, love, compassion, and the collective responsibility of working toward the common good.
“These values, which Pope Leo XIV has consistently emphasized in his recent global messages, resonate deeply with the journey of the Maserati brothers,” said Iervolino. “Their story isn’t just about innovation and success — it’s rooted in mutual respect, solidarity, and a shared family vision.”
Pope Leo XIV, elected just last month, has already made history on multiple fronts. While Pope Francis was the first Pontiff from the Americas, Leo XIV is the first Pope from the United States. Having become a naturalized Peruvian in 2015, he is also the first Pope from the Augustinian Order, which he led for several years before his papacy.
In a related development, Magenta Light Studios recently acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Maserati: The Brothers, planning an extensive North American release across over 2,000 screens in the U.S. and Canada, and more than 450 screens in Italy and Spain.
Maserati: The Brothers traces the inspirational journey of the Maserati family, whose innovations shaped the luxury sports car industry as we know it. The announcement of the film’s wide release came soon after news broke that Al Pacino would join the cast as Vincenzo Vaccaro, a pivotal early investor in the Maserati enterprise.
With faith and film intersecting on the global stage, this meeting between Al Pacino and Pope Leo XIV is emblematic of the shared human stories that bind cultures, history, and belief systems together.