Pope Francis and Angelina Jolie’s ‘Special Bond’ – The Truth Behind Their 2015 Vatican Meeting You Didn’t Know!

Pope Francis, the beloved head of the Catholic Church who passed away on April 21, 2025, was known for his open engagement with global leaders and cultural figures, using his platform to promote social justice, peace, and humanitarian causes. Among the celebrities with whom he shared a cordial rapport was actress and UNHCR Special Envoy, Angelina Jolie. Their 2015 meeting at the Vatican highlighted their shared commitment to global welfare, though it seems their connection was based more on mutual professional respect than on a deep personal bond.

The 2015 Vatican Meeting: A Brief but Meaningful Encounter

On January 8, 2015, Angelina Jolie had a memorable meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, following a private screening of her film Unbroken, which tells the inspiring story of Olympic athlete and World War II hero Louis Zamperini. The screening, held at the Pontifical Academy for Sciences, was attended by Vatican officials and ambassadors, but Pope Francis did not view the film. Instead, the meeting took place in the Apostolic Palace’s throne room—a brief but significant moment between the two.

Accompanied by her children Shiloh and Zahara, her brother James Haven, and a cast member from Unbroken, Jolie met the Pope in what was described as a VIP meet-and-greet rather than a formal audience. This event was arranged by Monsignor Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, a close friend of Pope Francis and the head of the pontifical academy, making it a diplomatic rather than a personal gathering.

In a gesture of respect, Jolie kissed the Pope’s ring, while Pope Francis reciprocated with a gift of a rosary. He also gave Jolie’s children Vatican souvenirs, signaling a warm and respectful exchange. The Vatican’s spokesman, Rev. Federico Lombardi, remarked that Unbroken showcased “positive human and spiritual values, in particular forgiveness,” a theme in alignment with Pope Francis’ message, which likely contributed to the invitation.

A Shared Commitment to Humanitarian Causes

The connection between Pope Francis and Angelina Jolie is rooted in their mutual commitment to humanitarian issues. At the time, Jolie was serving as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), focusing on the global refugee crisis and advocating for an end to sexual violence in conflict zones. It is believed that much of their interaction involved discussions about Jolie’s work for the UNHCR, although specifics of their conversation were not publicly disclosed.

Jolie’s long-standing advocacy for human rights and peace mirrored Pope Francis’ own efforts to promote social justice, and both have used their platforms to speak out against injustice, including the displacement of refugees and the need for global solidarity. This professional context likely framed their meeting, reinforcing their shared vision of a more compassionate world. Jolie’s previous work, including co-chairing the Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict in 2014, exemplified the kind of global humanitarian work that aligned with the Pope’s advocacy for the marginalized.

Absence of Further Interactions

Despite their powerful encounter in 2015, there is no evidence of further interactions between Pope Francis and Angelina Jolie. Media coverage from that period, including articles from The Guardian and The Independent, focused on the significance of the meeting but did not suggest an ongoing relationship or personal connection. No subsequent meetings, correspondence, or public statements have been recorded, reinforcing the notion that their relationship did not extend beyond that singular, professional exchange.

Media Coverage and Public Perception

At the time of their meeting, the media portrayed the encounter as an important moment, largely due to the high profiles of both individuals. However, coverage, such as Jolie’s statement about the honor of screening Unbroken at the Vatican, emphasized the film’s themes of resilience and forgiveness, not a personal connection with the Pope. The meeting was framed as a respectful and professional interaction, rather than one based on a deep, ongoing bond between the two figures.

While there has been occasional media reference to their meeting in 2015, the absence of further interactions or public exchanges suggests that their connection was one of mutual respect based on shared interests in humanitarian issues, rather than a special or personal bond.

Conclusion: A Professional Encounter, Not a Special Bond

Though the term “special bond” has been used to describe the relationship between Pope Francis and Angelina Jolie, the evidence points to their connection being limited to a single, significant meeting in 2015. The warm gestures and respectful exchange during the meeting, including the gift of a rosary and Vatican souvenirs, were part of the standard protocol for high-profile visitors to the Vatican and should not be mistaken for an indication of a personal relationship. While Jolie’s admiration for the Pope’s message of forgiveness and social justice aligns with her humanitarian work, there is no indication of a deeper personal connection between them.

This meeting, like those with other celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg and Katy Perry, fits a pattern of Pope Francis engaging with influential figures to promote global issues. While their encounter was undoubtedly meaningful, it was professional in nature and did not develop into an ongoing or personal relationship.