The actor claimed that the film is a great work of art, as it inspires discussions about important issues.”You come out of this movie and you want to talk … about our stewardship of the earth, our relationship to animals, what is spirituality, who am I in this world — all these fantastic subjects for conversation. … Art that can do that for people is a wonderful thing,” he said.
Crowe said he also appreciated Pope Francis meeting with him, suggesting that he had been invited to do so by the Vatican.
“I think considering the controversy around this movie, it would have been so easy for the Vatican to rescind that invitation and just let it be that way, but the kindness to actually let the invitation stand, I thought it was just so consistent with who he’s been,” the actor said, adding that even though he’s not Catholic, he’s a big fan of Pope Francis.