Actress and director Angelina Jolie met Pope Francis following the premiere of her new film 'Unbroken' on Thursday. The premiere of the film produced and directed by Jolie was a private screening organized at the Casina Pio IV, which is located in Vatican and houses the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Daily Mail says that though Pope Francis missed the premiere, he did meet Jolie in the Apostolic Palace. While Jolie was accompanied by two of her children, her husband and actor Brad Pitt did not visit Rome.

Later, Jolie issued a statement saying, "To be invited to screen 'Unbroken' at the Vatican is an honor, and a tribute to (Louis Zamperini's) legacy as a man of faith and someone who exemplified the power of forgiveness and the strength of the human spirit."

The film is based on the life of Zamperini, who was an American World War II prisoner of war, Christian inspirational speaker, and Olympic distance runner. Zamperini breathed his last in July 2014 in Los Angeles at the ripe age of 97 years. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Luke, Zamperini's son, attended the Vatican screening.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the film's distributor, Universal Studios, read, "Pope Francis, aware of the incredible life story of Louis Zamperini, graciously welcomed the opportunity to view the film."

'Unbroken' released in the United States on Dec. 25, 2014, and has earned roughly $15 million on its opening day, which is the third-biggest Christmas Day debut ever.

A statement issued by the Rev. Federico Lombardi, the chief spokesman of Vatican, observed that "'Unbroken' is an excellent example of positive human and spiritual values, in particular forgiveness."

According to the Daily Beast, Rev. Federico Lombardi further said that the meeting between Jolie and the pontiff lasted just a few minutes, though it was "naturally very significant for those present."

Stating that she tried to portray a "universal" faith in 'Unbroken', Jolie said, "The film, I think, portrays beautifully (my father's) faith throughout,"

On that note, Luke Zamperini said in December. "This is the way my father also presented the gospel to people. He just told a story and let them come up with their own conclusions."