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
Minnesota pastor condemns anti-ICE agitators who interrupted service: ‘Shameful and unlawful’

Minnesota Pastor Criticizes Anti-ICE Protesters for Disrupting Service: ‘Shameful and Unlawful Actions

A Minnesota church has urged community leaders to safeguard places of worship…
Nicola Peltz's hairstylist insists she is not a good person

Nicola Peltz’s Hairstylist Critiques Her Character in Candid Remarks

Nicola Peltz’s former hairstylist has reignited their past conflict, describing her as…
One dead, 20 hurt after train derails in Spain days after fatal crash

Tragic Train Derailment in Spain Leaves One Dead, 20 Injured

A tragic train derailment near Barcelona has claimed the life of one…
Air Force One returning to Joint Base Andrews in Washington area due to minor electrical issue, White House says

Air Force One Makes Unexpected Return to Joint Base Andrews: Minor Electrical Glitch Resolved, White House Reports

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s aircraft, Air Force One, made an unexpected…
ICE launches new operation in Maine amid Trump's broader illegal immigrant crackdown around the US

ICE Initiates New Operation in Maine as Part of Trump’s Nationwide Illegal Immigration Strategy

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a significant operation in…
GCPD: One injured after domestic dispute turns into shooting in Brunswick

Brunswick Shooting: Domestic Dispute Escalates, Leaving One Injured – Latest Updates Inside

The Glynn County Police Department continues to actively investigate the incident. BRUNSWICK,…
Davos 2026: Trump speaks at World Economic Forum, where his quest to own Greenland could overshadow his other goals

Trump’s Greenland Ambitions Take Center Stage at Davos 2026 World Economic Forum Speech

ZURICH, Switzerland — President Donald Trump addressed the World Economic Forum with…
I had EIGHT miscarriages until I made a diet swap... now I have twins

After Eight Heartbreaking Miscarriages, a Simple Diet Change Led to the Joy of Twins

For years, Molly Brown embarked on a difficult journey to motherhood, facing…