Russell Crowe discusses spirituality with archbishop of Canterbury after UK ‘Noah’ premiere

LONDON – The pope said no but the leader of the world’s Anglicans was happy to meet Russell Crowe, star of watery Biblical epic “Noah.”

Crowe was denied a private audience with Pope Francis when he was promoting the movie in Rome last month.

But Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby met the actor at the cleric’s Lambeth Palace home Tuesday, the day after the movie’s British premiere, to discuss faith and spirituality.

Director Darren Aronofsky’s film is a box-office hit in the U.S. but some Christian conservatives have complained it takes liberties with the Biblical account of the flood. It has been banned in much of the Muslim world because of its depiction of the prophet.

Welby’s office said the archbishop had seen “Noah” and found it “interesting and thought-provoking.”