“We learned of his participation at the last minute”: Leo XIV will appear in a documentary on the Vatican

The director started by having doubts. Her, to film a documentary on the Vatican? By her own admission, Paula Ortiz is an atheist, feminist, left-wing. This triptych did not scare the Vatican communications teams, reports The Countrywho called on her for a film on the history of Saint Peter’s tomb.

This project titled in ancient Greek Petros is not (“Peter is here”) must reveal the bowels of the Vatican. A necropolis which, several meters deep, extends under Saint Peter’s Basilica. “I don’t think I will ever be able to work in a place like this again”admires Paula Ortiz, who was “deeply marked” by the beauty and silence – necessarily sacred – of the places.

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A text from the Pope

“This vertical journey through history, art and faith” will cross paths with the successor of Saint Peter, who will make an appearance on the screen. The 47-year-old filmmaker “learned of the Pope’s participation in the documentary at the last minute”. The technical teams only had one outlet at their disposal to film with Léon XIV. Paula Ortiz describes a man ” calm “, “very kind”, ” accurate “which she had no difficulty in directing.

A text from the hand of the sovereign pontiff – “a beautiful and poetic reflection” – must also be heard in the film, which we do not know if it will be broadcast in France. It is due to be released in November in Spain for the four hundredth anniversary of the inauguration of the basilica. Hollywood actor Chris Pratt is responsible for its animation. Known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy or Jurassic Worldthis actor makes no secret of his evangelical faith.

The Vatican teams called on Paula Ortiz, little known in France, probably after seeing her film Teresa (2023), dedicated to Teresa of Avila. The director’s fifth feature film, The Red Virginwas named during the Goya 2025 ceremony. It depicts a news item that hit the headlines in Spain in the 1930s: the assassination of a young socialist and feminist activist by her paranoid mother.