Isabella Rossellini Sends Heartfelt Wishes to Pope Francis at SAG Awards
In a heartfelt moment that turned heads at the 2025 SAG Awards, *Conclave* star Isabella Rossellini took a break from the glam and glitz of Hollywood to send her best wishes to Pope Francis, who is currently battling severe health issues. The 88-year-old pontiff has been dealing with early kidney failure and pneumonia but managed to be somewhat resilient, even attending Sunday mass before appearing on the big screen’s radars once again. What a remarkable spirit! As reported by the Associated Press, he is in critical condition but remains alert and responsive — high flows of supplemental oxygen are assisting him through treatment.
Rossellini, alongside her *Conclave* co-stars Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow, and Sergio Castellitto, introduced their film with a touching message to the Pope that resonated through the audience. “First of all, we would like to wish Pope Francis a quick recovery,” she declared, eliciting a wave of applause from the audience, highlighting the intersection between entertainment and reverence in a world always craving connection. The *Conclave* narrative, which explores the clandestine process of electing a new pope, might seem far-off from the glittering California lights, but this moment emphasized how actors can bridge such worlds.
Fiennes, a notable Oscar and SAG nominee, complemented Rossellini by hinting at the cutthroat nature of papal elections, stressing the “competing agendas and egos” that play out behind those closed Vatican doors. John Lithgow even added a dose of humor by referencing their heavy costumes, joking about how they must have weighed “about 500 pounds,” truly capturing the mix of gravity and comedy inherent to both the film and their presentation.
Interestingly, this isn’t an isolated moment of Hollywood-Pope interaction; Whoopi Goldberg, the queen of comedy herself, once revealed to *The View* that she extended an invite for Pope Francis to join her in a cameo role for *Sister Act 3*. Guess who’s winning the Papal fan club? You got it — Hollywood!
The SAG Awards showcased not just the best in acting but a reminder of how interconnected the worlds of faith and fame can be. Here’s hoping for the Pope’s quick recovery so we can see him back in action soon! Tune in to see if he decides to take Hollywood up on any acting offers in the future!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Associated Press, The View, Variety
