Multiple Hollywood stars, including Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Sylvester Stallone and others, paid tribute to Pope Francis who passed away on Easter Monday, April 21. Comedian Whoopi Goldberg, who met the Pope in 2023 and again last year, shared a heartfelt message for him accompanied by a photo of their meeting.

Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio posted a lengthy tribute to Pope Francis on Instagram. He remembered the Bishop of Rome for his “environmental reform and activism.” “Pope Francis was a transformational leader -- not only for the Catholic Church, but also for environmental reform and activism,” he wrote, referencing the pope’s 2015 encyclical “Laudato Si’.” 

He recalled meeting with the pope about climate change before filming the documentary Before the Flood in 2016, calling the experience “enlightening, deeply moving and thought-provoking.” “During the filming of my documentary Before the Flood in 2016, I had the honor of sitting down with Pope Francis for a conversation on the urgent need to address climate change. That experience was enlightening, deeply moving and thought-provoking,” wrote Leonardo DiCaprio.

“A beautiful day in Rome, but a sad day for the faithful,” he wrote. “RIP Francis.” After meeting the pope last year, Jimmy Fallon wrote on his Instagram Story: “It was an honour meeting Pope Francis last summer. I’m glad I made you laugh. Thank you for your encouraging words. Rest in peace.” Sylvester Stallone also posted photos from his own encounter with the pope and wrote: “A wonderful, wonderful man! Rest in peace holy father!”