Actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie hosted a screening of her new film "Unbroken" at the Vatican on Thursday, and was greeted by Pope Francis afterwards.

Francis invited the star to show the film at the Casina Pio IV, the home of three Pontifical Academies.

Jolie was not joined by her husband, Brad Pitt, as speculated, but brought an interpreter, daughters Shiloh and Zahara, her brother, James Haven, and Luke Zamperini, son of Louis Zamperini, whose life inspired the film.

"To be invited to screen 'Unbroken' at The Vatican is an honor and a tribute to Louie's legacy as a man of faith and someone who exemplified the power of forgiveness and the strength of the human spirit," Jolie said in a statement.

"These are universal themes at the heart of the human experience everywhere."

A source told E! News that about 25 people attended the screening, and the audience broke into applause at the end of the film.

After the movie, Jolie met Pope Francis in the throne room at the Apostolic Palace. According to Business Insider, Jolie kissed the Pope's ring and received the gift of a rosary from him.

"Unbroken" is an adaptation of the best-selling book "Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption" by Laura Hillenbrand. 

Zamperini, a former cross-country track star, carried the torch in five Olympic Games, and enlisted in the Air Force during World War II.

He survived a plane crash, 47 days floating on a raft in the Pacific Ocean, more than two years as a Japanese prisoner of war, and substance abuse and psychological disorders when he returned to the United States. 

He would go on to dedicate his life to Christ, and forgive his captors. Zamperini passed away on July 2 at the age of 97. "Unbroken" was released on Christmas Day and proved a box office hit, taking in $47m in its opening weekend.