After two failed attempts, Russell Crowe has finally met with Pope Francis and had the Holy Father\u2019s blessing for his latest film Noah.\nAccording to JustJared, Crowe, 49, had a brief meeting with the Pontiff and the pair were able to have a short discussion. The actor said of his audience: with the Pope: \u2018The Holy Father showed a great level of consistency with the things he\u2019s been saying and things he\u2019s been doing…It was an incredible privilege to be invited. \u2018Given the amount of controversy surrounding this film, and has been surrounding it for a year now, the fact we were invited to the Vatican was extremely kind.\u2019 The star of the upcoming Biblical epic originally reached out to Francis over Twitter, but both of his scheduled meetings with The Pope in the past week were called-off at the last minute
\nLast Wednesday Crowe attended the Pope\u2019s weekly general address at the Vatican – Variety magazine claimed a meeting between Paramount vice chairman Rob Moore, director Darren Aronofsky and Crowe was tentatively scheduled. However, according to the movie company the Vatican cancelled, saying Crowe\u2019s appearance would be too disruptive.
\nThe Sydney Morning Herald reported that Francis\u2019 brief meeting with the actor may have happened later that night. This is seemingly confirmed by Crowe, who on Twitter that night wrote \u2018ciao Roma, my love for your eternal light just grows deeper. Thank you holy father @Pontifex for the blessing.\u2019
\nCrowe originally made contact to Francis over social media; \u2018Holy Father, it would be my deepest pleasure to bring the film to you,\u2019 he wrote on Twitter, offering the Pontiff a private screening of Noah.
\nPope Francis, was reportedly all set to meet Crowe and the film\u2019s makers during his weekly audience which is attended by the general public.But it was cancelled last week after news of the meeting \u2013 and photo opportunity \u2013 was leaked.
\nCrowe\u2019s attendance of Francis\u2019 address was his second attempt at procuring a private council.
\nThe actor has been at the frontlines of the media storm that Noah has cooked up.
\nThe film met with criticism in test screenings with members of the Jewish and Christian faith having issues with the content.
\nThe film\u2019s release has also been blocked by censors in Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE.
\nCrowe said: \u2018To be frank, given that it is a tenet of the Muslim religion that you can\u2019t make stories or render images about the Prophet, it was not unexpected that some Islamic nations would ban the film.\u2019
\nThe film which also stars Emma Watson and Sir Anthony Hopkins.follows the story of Noah, who repeatedly sees visions of a destructive and apocalyptic flood.
\nHe believes these visions to be messages from God, and builds an ark to save his family and as many animals as possible.
\nWatson plays the adopted daughter of the prophet, while Hopkins stars as his sagely granfather. Meanwhile, Jennifer Connelly is Naameh, Noah\u2019s wife.
\nParamount is running a big gamble with the controversial flick; the budget for the epic is reportedly in the area of $130million.
\nCrowe is currently doing international press rounds, having just wrapped principal photography for his directorial debut, The Water Diviner.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"