Pope Leo XIII, Cinema, and the United States: The Case of the 1898 Filmings and Its Ecclesiological Effects

Abstract: This article explores the relationship between Pope Leo XIII (1810– 1903) and early cinema, focusing in particular on the first-ever filmed sequences of a pope in 1898. It details how Pope Leo XIII, despite his initial reluctance to be photographed, became the first pope to be captured on film, thanks to the efforts of William K.L. Dickson and the American Mutoscope Company. The article also examines the motivations behind allowing the filming, which were rooted in both ecclesiastical and geopolitical strategies, especially concerning the American Catholic Church. The text highlights how these early cinematic sequences of Pope Leo XIII transformed the public image of the papacy, influencing both the Church’s engagement with modern media and the perception of the pope by the global Catholic community. The spread of these images, especially in the United States, served to romanize American Catholicism and marked a significant moment in the intersection of religion, media, and public life, setting a precedent for the Church’s future use of visual media.