Pope Leo XIV featured in new documentary 'Leone a Roma

Vatican News and the Dicastery for Communication have released the documentary "Leone a Roma" ("Leão em Roma"), which follows the early years of Robert Francis Prevost in Rome. The film traces his arrival from Chicago in 1981, his studies in canon law, two terms as prior general of the Augustinian Order (2001‑2013), and his service as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, leading up to his creation as cardinal and election as Pope Leo XIV in 2025.

The 90‑minute portrait combines previously unseen archive footage, photographs and interviews with fellow friars, teachers, friends and Vatican colleagues. Participants describe Prevost as reserved yet gifted at fostering community. The documentary was produced by Vatican journalists Felipe Herrera‑Espaliat, Salvatore Cernuzio, Tiziana Campisi, with editing by Jaime Vizcaíno Haro and Stefano Anella, and is available in Italian.

"Leone a Roma" adds a personal dimension to the pontiff’s public image, showing the formative decade‑long path that shaped his papal ministry.