AKIPRESS.COM - Russell Crowe, who plays the title character in the new Hollywood blockbuster Noah, has met with Pope Francis and had the Holy Father's blessing for the film, The Voice of Russia reported.

The sides had a short discussion. The actor said of his audience with the Pope, “it was an incredible privilege to be invited.”

“Given the amount of controversy surrounding this film, and has been surrounding it for a year now, the fact we were invited to the Vatican was extremely kind,” Crowe added.

Last Wednesday, Russell Crowe attended the Pope’s weekly general address at the Vatican which is open to the general public.

The controversial movie Noah met with criticism in test screenings with members of the Jewish and Christian faith and was blocked by Muslims from being released in Qatar, Bahrain and the UAE.