Penang: Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrao, President of both the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) and the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI), delivered a compelling message on the global influence of The Chosen during Holy Mass at the Chosen Asia Vision Summit in Penang. Highlighting the series' expanding reach, he affirmed its growing momentum across Asia and its profound impact on millions of viewers worldwide.
Cardinal Ferrão placed storytelling at the heart of the Church’s contemporary evangelizing mission. He commended The Chosen for “opening a global doorway to Christ,” enabling viewers to rediscover the person and message of Jesus in a fresh, immersive way.
He noted that the series’ emotionally rich and visually striking portrayal of biblical events has drawn both believers and seekers toward the Gospel, often inspiring deeper reflection, renewed faith, and personal transformation.
As a close collaborator of Pope Leo XIV, the Cardinal remarked that The Chosen has helped countless viewers grasp the tenderness and humanity of Christ. Through its thoughtful writing and powerful performances, the show portrays Jesus and His disciples with relatable depth capturing their struggles, joys, doubts, and hopes.
This, he said, allows the ancient Gospel narrative to feel “close, alive, and personal” for contemporary audiences.
Cardinal Ferrão expressed heartfelt gratitude to the creators, cast, and production team behind The Chosen, praising their commitment to artistic integrity and fidelity to the spirit of the Gospel. Their work, he said, has carried Christ’s message across cultures, languages, and continents making it accessible to people who might otherwise never encounter the biblical story.
The Cardinal emphasized that The Chosen has evolved into a significant instrument for evangelization, awakening faith and motivating many to embrace mission. The Asia Vision Summit, he said, clearly demonstrated that storytelling continues to be one of the Church’s most powerful tools for opening hearts to God.
In his concluding remarks, Cardinal Ferrão encouraged artists, media professionals, and digital storytellers to use their gifts to build bridges of faith across Asia. “Your work can guide searching hearts to Christ,” he said. “It can heal, inspire, and awaken belief.”
The Chosen Asia Vision Summit has gathered Church leaders, communication specialists, and creative professionals to explore how digital storytelling can deepen Christian witness and strengthen evangelization efforts throughout the continent.