Martin Scorsese Documentary on Pope Francis Premieres at the Vatican on First Anniversary of His Death

VATICAN CITY — A new documentary by the acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese, Aldeas: The Final Dream of Pope Francis, premiered Tuesday at the Vatican, marking the first anniversary of the death of Pope Francis, who died on April 21, 2025.

The private screening, held at the Vatican Filmoteca, was organized by Scholas Occurrentes, a global educational initiative founded by Francis in 2001 when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires. The organization later expanded into an international foundation after his election to the papacy in 2013, promoting what he often described as a “culture of encounter” through education, art and sport.

The documentary centers on Aldeas, a community-based filmmaking project spearheaded by Scholas Occurrentes. The initiative invites local communities around the world to create short films that reflect their histories, identities and shared values. Filming took place across several countries, including Italy — notably in Sicily, where Scorsese’s family traces its roots — as well as Gambia, Indonesia and the Vatican.

In Indonesia, the project engaged residents of Genggelang village in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The predominantly Muslim community produced a short film titled Kesin Dungan (also known as Kesindungan), underscoring the project’s cross-cultural scope.

The film also features what is believed to be Pope Francis’ final in-depth on-camera interview. In it, he described the Aldeas initiative as “poetic and transformative,” emphasizing its focus on fundamental human experiences such as social connection, conflict and the meaning of life.

Scorsese, who co-directed the film with Johnny Shipley and Clare Tavernor, framed the project as a response to growing global divisions. “Now, more than ever, we need to talk to one another and listen across cultures,” he said, according to The Guardian. “Cinema is the best medium to do that.”

The production brings together Aldeas Scholas Films, Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions and Massive Owl Productions. It also features contributions from internationally recognized artists, including cinematographers Ellen Kuras and Salvatore Totino, actor Babou Ceesay, Indonesian actress Happy Salma and Academy Award-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore.

Proceeds from the film will be reinvested into the Aldeas initiative, organizers said, supporting its expansion in underserved communities worldwide.

Scorsese’s relationship with Pope Francis developed over several private meetings in recent years, reflecting the director’s longstanding engagement with spiritual themes. His earlier works include Silence (2016), which explored the persecution of Jesuit missionaries in Japan, and The Saints (2024), a television series examining religious figures.

The premiere served not only as a tribute to Francis’ legacy, but also as a reflection on his enduring call for dialogue and solidarity in a fractured world. []