Leonardo DiCaprio honors Pope Francis after his death at 88, reflects on their 'deeply moving' meeting
Share and Follow

Leonardo DiCaprio has paid heartfelt tribute to Pope Francis following the pontiff’s death at age 88.

The Oscar winner, 50, took to social media Monday to pay his respects by sharing a series of photos from their 2016 meeting at the Vatican.

Leonardo DiCaprio, known for his role in “Inception,” shared a story about a conversation he had with Pope Francis regarding the pressing issue of climate change. This discussion took place while they were working on DiCaprio’s documentary “Before the Flood,” which was later released in the same year.

DiCaprio praised Pope Francis for being a transformative figure, not just within the Catholic Church but also in the realm of environmental advocacy. The actor took to Instagram to express his admiration for the Pope’s strong dedication to environmental stewardship, particularly highlighting the impact of the Pope’s influential 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ that called for environmental action.

Referring to the letter Pope Francis had sent to churches worldwide in 2015, DiCaprio emphasized the Pope’s unwavering commitment to promoting environmental awareness and activism.

“This powerful document served as a clarion call for a fundamental shift in how we relate to the planet,” added the actor, who has long been an outspoken advocate for environmental issues.

DiCaprio further highlighted the Pope’s efforts in urging “individuals, communities, institutions, and world leaders to unite in caring for our common home,” before recalling their 2016 meeting.

“I had the honor of sitting down with Pope Francis for a conversation on the urgent need to address climate change,” he wrote. “That experience was enlightening, deeply moving and thought provoking.”


Read more on Pope Francis’ death


The “Wolf of Wall Street” actor described Pope Francis “one of the most extraordinary spiritual leaders of our time.” 

“His legacy will continue to inspire generations of environmentalists around the world. May he rest in peace,” he added.

DiCaprio has long been an environmentalist, establishing he Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 at just 24 years old.

It comes as the actor’s longtime Hollywood collaborator, filmmaker Martin Scorsese, also paid tribute to the late Pope.

“There is so much that can be said about the significance of Pope Francis and everything he meant to the world, to the church, to the papacy. I will leave that to others. He was, in every way, a remarkable human being. He acknowledged his own failings. He radiated wisdom,” the legendary director told Variety.

“He radiated goodness. He had an ironclad commitment to the good. He knew in his soul that ignorance was a terrible plague on humanity. So he never stopped learning. And he never stopped enlightening. And, he embraced, preached and practiced forgiveness. Universal and constant forgiveness.”

“The loss for me runs deep — I was lucky enough to know him, and I will miss his presence and his warmth. The loss for the world is immense. But he left a light behind, and it can never be extinguished,” he said, calling the pontiff a “remarkable human being.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Bikini-clad Heidi Klum, 52, dries off with a kooky toyboy towel

Heidi Klum, 52, Makes a Splash with Unique Towel Choice in Stunning Bikini Snapshot

Heidi Klum was spotted on the sun-kissed beaches of St. Barths, drying…
DC pipe bomb suspect confessed to planting  explosives

DC Pipe Bomb Suspect Admits to Planting Explosives: Details Revealed

A Virginia man has admitted to placing pipe bombs outside the Republican…
Diff'rent Strokes child star Melanie Watson dies at 57

Remembering Melanie Watson: ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ Star Passes Away at 57

Melanie Watson, a former child star from the beloved series Diff’rent Strokes,…
3 takeaways from the Trump-Zelensky meeting at Mar-a-Lago

Key Insights from the Trump-Zelensky Mar-a-Lago Meeting: Diplomatic Discussions Unveiled

In a significant diplomatic encounter, former President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President…
The most shocking celebrity splits of 2025

Unbelievable Celebrity Breakups of 2025 That Shook Hollywood

Even the privileged lives of the rich and famous cannot shield them…
Photos show how Anthony Joshua came within inches of death

Anthony Joshua’s Narrow Escape: Shocking Photos Reveal How Boxing Star Avoided Tragedy

Photos have surfaced showing the harrowing scene of a car crash in…
Creative Cypher enters new era with first woman president of the entertainment powerhouse company, Cindy Beasley

Creative Cypher Breaks New Ground: Cindy Beasley Appointed as First Female President

CHICAGO (WLS) — Riding high on the success of two Emmy nominations,…
Donald Trump meets with Zelensky at Mar-a-Lago - and snaps at reporter

Donald Trump and Zelensky’s Mar-a-Lago Meeting: Tensions Flare with Reporter’s Question

In a significant display of diplomacy, former President Donald Trump extended a…