Pope Francis and Leonard DiCaprio Just Became Climate Buddies
Two outspoken voices on climate change in the past year have been Pope Francis and Revenant actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, and this week, the two finally met. Traveling to the Vatican, the actor turned climate leader who has garnered audiences from the World Economic Forum to the UNFCCC, came bearing a gift. While not the painting from his childhood, DiCaprio presented Pope Francis with a book of paintings by 16th-century Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch, explaining how the work influenced him as a boy, "It represents to me the promise of the future and enlightenment and it is representational of your view here as well."
The 41-year-old climate advocate shared his gratitude for having met with Pope Francis, just before handing over a sizable check, of which Pope Francis may use for his global climate campaigns. Way to go, Leo!
Leonardo DiCaprio Meets with Pope Francis to Discuss Climate Change
JODI GUGLIELMI | People
Leonardo DiCaprio has officially met the Pope.
The actor had a private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Thursday morning.
"Leo explained that he wanted to discuss a subject they both have very much at heart: protecting the environment and climate change," a source tells PEOPLE.
DiCaprio, 41, arrived at the Vatican at 11:15 a.m. local time and was accompanied by his father, George DiCaprio, and Milutin Gatsby, global fundraising chair for the actor's namesake charity, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation.
During the 15-minute meeting, the actor presented the pontiff with a check from his environmental philanthropy for him to use for charity works "close to your heart," reports the Associated Press.
He also gifted Pope Francis with a book containing works by the painter Hieronymus Bosch. DiCaprio explained that as a baby, the triptych "The Garden of Earthly Delights" hung over his crib, and had a profound impact on him when he was growing up.