
Rumors spread that Pope Francis plans to discuss church portrayal in media with Oprah and Matt Damon in a special meeting
FREE Catholic Classes
Oprah and Ari Emanuel, along with other Hollywood stare, were reportedly approached by Vatican representatives with Pope Francis' invitation for a special meeting. The meeting, according to the initial report done by The Hollywood Reporter, would be held this fall and focused on improving the church portrayal in the media. However, a key spokesperson said there might be some misunderstanding.
Highlights
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
8/7/2015 (1 decade ago)
Published in Celebrity
Keywords: Pope Francis, Hollywood, Oprah, Ari Emanuel, Hollywood, Media, Perception, Image, Catholic Church, Special Meeting, Vatican, Valkrey Foundation
MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Pope Francis is interested in uplifting the image of the Catholic Church in the portrayal of Western media, which is often a more negative side. Yet, the Pontiff, who is known to be well-liked even by the people less-likely to do so, is not new on building connections in the media and entertainment industry, as Angelina Jolie and Darren Aronofsky had asked for his blessing for their films, according to The Vanity Fair.
As cool as the guests perceive the Catholic Church's leader, the meeting will focus on the perception of the media on the church as a whole alongside a discussion on how to improve it.
However, the Varkey Foundation, the supposed partner on this pursuit, downplayed the reports. According to a spokesperson, as cited in NY Daily News, circulating news about the special meeting are at point inaccurate.
"The Varkey Foundation has been in discussions with representatives of the Vatican about a potential meeting examining the role of media on the values of young people throughout the world. Recent media speculation about the purpose and possible participants of such a meeting is inaccurate and premature. The meeting under consideration is emphatically not a discussion about the reputation of the Catholic Church and never has been."
Among the figures reported to have been invited are actor Matt Damon and film and TV producer Brian Grazer. No report have yet stated any comment from them.
---
'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'
Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online
Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.
-
- Easter / Lent
- Ascension Day
- 7 Morning Prayers
- Mysteries of the Rosary
- Litany of the Bl. Virgin Mary
- Popular Saints
- Popular Prayers
- Female Saints
- Saint Feast Days by Month
- Stations of the Cross
- St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Michael the Archangel
- The Apostles' Creed
- Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
- Pray the Rosary

Digital Drug: How Social Media Algorithms Are Addicting and Rewiring Our Brains

A Generation Without Christ Breeds Violence — The Answer Is Catholic Education

Rediscovering the Face of God in Others: Pope Leo’s Call to Fraternity
Daily Catholic
Daily Readings for Saturday, September 13, 2025
St. John Chrysostom: Saint of the Day for Saturday, September 13, 2025
A Prayer for the Gift of Wisdom: Prayer of the Day for Saturday, September 13, 2025
Daily Readings for Friday, September 12, 2025
St. Ailbhe: Saint of the Day for Friday, September 12, 2025
- Family Prayer Time: Prayer of the Day for Friday, September 12, 2025
Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2025 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.
Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.