The newly appointed Pope Leo of the Vatican has already stirred controversy. At the annual ‘Lunch for the Poor’ held on Sunday, he could be seen giving a direct cold shoulder to a group of 48 trans women.

A group of 48 transgender women attended a major Vatican event on Sunday with Pope Leo XIV, continuing a tradition that began under Pope Francis.

Organizers said the aim was not only to offer a meal but to create an experience of welcome and care for each guest.

Pope Leo XIV does not intend to overturn Pope Francis' limits on celebrating the traditional Latin Mass but will grant two-year dispensations to bishops who ask, a nuncio said.

Pope Leo was presented with a bracelet by Cate Blanchett and a personalised New York Knicks basketball jersey by Spike Lee as dozens of prominent figures from the world of cinema and television visited the Vatican on Saturday.

Pope Leo welcomed more than 100 actors, directors, and producers to the Apostolic Palace for the Vatican’s first event devoted to cinema, urging support for theaters as attendance declines.

Pope Leo XIV welcomed Spike Lee, Cate Blanchett, Greta Gerwig and dozens of other Hollywood luminaries to a special Vatican audience Saturday celebrating cinema and its ability to inspire and unite.

For the first time since he was selected to be the pope in May, Pope Leo will host Hollywood stars such as Cate Blanchett and Chris Pine in Italy.