Angelina Jolie 'honoured' to meet Pope Francis at Vatican screening of Unbroken

Angelina Jolie met Pope Francis during a special screening of her film Unbroken at the Vatican this morning.

Jolie, 39 – who is the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nation Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) – was invited to the Vatican by Pope Francis for a screening of her new war drama at the Political Academy of Sciences.

The actress - who was joined by two of her children Zahara, nine and Shiloh, eight – was pictured shaking hands with the head of the Catholic Church after the screening.

In a statement Jolie said: "Being invited with my film to the Vatican is an honor and a great tribute to the story that I have told in Unbroken."

She continued: “The story of the hero Louis is a great example of strength and forgiveness.”

Universal Pictures Italia added: "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."

According to US Weekly, Jolie's husband Brad Pitt was scheduled to attend the screening but a “last minute change” resulted in his abscence.