The creative team behind "Noah" visited the Vatican early Wednesday morning to meet with Pope Francis after reportedly being denied a private meeting with the pontiff. 

Darren Aronofsky, Russell Crowe and others from the film "Noah" met with the Pope this morning during the General Audience at the Vatican. The group included Paramount Pictures vice chairman Rob Moore, a spokeswoman for Universal confirmed the meeting to Variety.com. "Noah" is set to release in Italy on April 10.

According to newspaper La Stampa, Vatican spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi said the team had requested to meet the Pope privately, but that request was denied.

The "Noah" crew instead attended the Pope's regular General Audience, which is open to the public, they are held on Wednesdays at 10.30 a.m. in St. Peter's Square. Wednesday's General Audience was attended by thousands of people.

Variety reports that they inquired for more details of the encounter during the General Audience, but the spokeswomen said the Vatican had asked for these not to be disclosed.

The site explained, last week that film director Aronofsky, said the meeting had been proposed, but it wouldn't happen if anybody reported or tweeted about it ahead of time.

Crowe took to social media last month to try and persuade Pope Francis to see his upcoming film, which stars Crowe as the biblical patriarch but did not receive a reply.

Nevertheless the actor was happy to post pictures of his experience at the Vatican during the General Audience.

Pre show with some of the lads pic.twitter.com/NszmsMMIj4

"” Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) March 19, 2014

Pre show with some of the girls pic.twitter.com/KZwuRFnN0j "” Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) March 19, 2014

Back stage at the Vatican pic.twitter.com/8s0mMa6wMV

"” Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) March 19, 2014

"Noah," The $125 million film, hits theaters March 28, and has stirred up loads of controversy amongst some religious groups that say the story line did not closely stick to the biblical text.