Martin Scorsese meets Pope Francis at Vatican screening of his new film Silence

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese met Pope Francis in Rome following the Vatican screening of his latest film Silence, which recounts the persecution of a group of Jesuit missionaries in 17th century Japan.

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese met Pope Francis in Rome following the Vatican screening of his latest film Silence, which recounts the persecution of a group of Jesuit missionaries in 17th century Japan.

Pope Francis meets film director Martin Scorsese during a private audience at the Vatican November 30, 2016. (REUTERS)

Scorsese, 74, was accompanied by his wife, his two daughters, the producer of the movie for the meeting on Wednesday, according to a Vatican statement that said the meeting was “very cordial” and lasted 15 minutes.

Pope Francis told those present that he had read Japanese author Shusaku Endo’s novel on which the film was based. Scorsese gave the Pope two paintings on the theme of “hidden Christians,” one of them a much-venerated image of the Madonna painted by a 17th century Japanese artist. Pope Francis gave his guests rosaries.

Pope Francis looks at a painting given to him as a gift from director Martin Scorsese, right, on the occasion of their private audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. (AP)

The audience in the Vatican came after a special screening of Silence in Rome on Tuesday night for more than 300 Jesuit priests.

The movie is due to premiere in the United States this December.

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