Leonardo DiCaprio Meets With Pope Francis To Discuss Shared Concern Over Environment

American actor Leonardo DiCaprio had the chance to meet with Pope Francis on Thursday at the Vatican where they talked about their mutual concern over the environment.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that the actor greeted Pope Francis in Italian upon his arrival in the Apostolic Palace. DiCaprio kissed the pope's ring and said, "Your Holiness, thank you for granting me this private audience with you."

DiCaprio handed Pope Francis a books of works by famous Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch and flipped through the pages to show him the copy of "Garden of Earthly Delights" by Bosch.

"As a child I didn't quite understand what it all meant, but through my child's eyes it represented a planet, the utopia we had been given, the overpopulation, excesses, and the third panel we see a blackened sky that represents so much to me of what's going on in the environment," DiCaprio told Pope Francis.

The actor added that the painting also signified Pope Francis' concern over the environment.

Reports revealed that an envelope holding a check for charitable projects was handed to Pope Francis during the meeting. In return, the pope handed DiCaprio a leather-bound copy of "Laudato Si (Praise Be)" and "The Joy of the Gospel," as noted by The Washington Post Friday.

"Laudato Si" denounces "the tragic effects of global environmental deterioration." It also calls for immediate measures to protect "our common home."

Meanwhile, 41-year-old DiCaprio has received admiration from different environmentalist groups for his advocacy. The actor in an interview considered global warming as "the number one environmental challenge."

The American actor was accompanied by his father, George DiCaprio, and Foundation's global fundraising chair, Milutin Gatsby, during his meeting with Pope Francis, which reportedly last for 15 minutes.

DiCaprio started his career by appearing in several commercials and educational films in 1990. He broke into the film industry in 1991 for his role in the comedic sci-fi horror film "Critters 3." His career took off after he was chosen by Robert De Niro to play the lead role in "This Boy's Life" in 1992.