The Hollywood actress and two of her children, Shiloh, 8, and Zahara, 9, met with 78-year-old Pope Francis at The Vatican after she was invited to showcase her new film Unbroken, about former Olympian and war hero Louis Zamperini.
During the brief meeting on Thursday it has been reported that the 39-year-old actress-turned-director greeted the Pontiff by kissing his rings and the holy leader presented her with a gift of a rosary.
“To be invited to screen Unbroken at the Vatican is an honour and a tribute to Louie’s legacy as a man of faith and someone who exemplified the power of forgiveness and the strength of the human spirit,” Jolie said in a statement released by Universal Pictures.
Due to a last minute change in scheduling Jolie’s husband, Brad Pitt was reportedly unable to go with his wife to meet the Pope but Angelina’s brother, James Haven went in his place.
In October Angelina was made an honorary dame during a private audience with the Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of her campaigning against sexual violence against women.
Angelina Jolie with Queen Elizabeth in October.
Last year, Russell Crowe, 50, tried to get an audience with the Pope to tie in with the release of his biblical epic, Noah.
In the end the Pope Francis neither watched Noah nor granted Crowe a private assembly, but did reportedly give the Oscar-winner his blessing at a public address.
