Angelina Jolie meets the Pope at Vatican premiere of 'Unbroken'

VATICAN CITY, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Angelina Jolie met Pope Francis Thursday at the Vatican City premiere of her second directorial effort,Unbroken.

The 39-year-old actress and director said in a statement that being invited to the Vatican with her film was "an honor" and a "great tribute to the story that [she] told."

"The story of the hero Louis a great example of strength and forgiveness," said Jolie of the subject of her film.

"Pope Francis, aware of the incredible life story of Louis Zamperini, graciously welcomed the opportunity to view the film and is expected to attend the screening at the Casina Pio IV, headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences," Universal Pictures Italia said of the event.

The actress hosted the event with Zamperini's son Luke and was accompanied by two of her six children.

Jolie's Unbroken stars Jack O'Connell as the real-life Olympic runner who was captured by the Japanese navy during WWII. The controversial film premiered in U.S. theaters on Christmas Day.