Vatican City: The Vatican will release a new documentary on July 1 that explores the years Pope Leo XIV spent in Rome before his election to the papacy. Titled Leo in Rome, the film is the latest production by the Dicastery for Communication and forms the final chapter of a documentary series that looks at different stages of the Pope's life and ministry.
The documentary follows the journey of Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, during the nearly two decades he lived and worked in the Italian capital. It highlights his experiences in Rome after arriving from the United States in 1981 and traces the key moments that shaped his vocation and leadership within the Catholic Church.
The film examines his service as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, a role he held for two terms, during which he travelled widely and guided the worldwide Augustinian community. It also focuses on his later responsibilities after Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the Vatican's most important departments responsible for helping select bishops around the world. The documentary also recalls his elevation to the College of Cardinals in 2023, a milestone that placed him among the Church's senior leaders before his election as Pope.
According to Vatican News, the documentary offers viewers a personal and detailed portrait of Pope Leo through a collection of previously unseen photographs and video footage. These rare materials are combined with interviews from people who knew him closely over the years, including fellow Augustinians, former classmates, longtime friends, members of his religious order, and colleagues from the Dicastery for Bishops.
The documentary aims to present not only the Pope's official responsibilities but also the human side of his life. It revisits years marked by study, prayer, pilgrimages, meetings, travels, friendships, and pastoral service, showing how these experiences contributed to his spiritual and personal formation.
Leo in Rome completes a documentary trilogy produced by Vatican News that explores the life of Pope Leo XIV from different perspectives. The first documentary, LeĂłn de PerĂş, released in June 2025, focused on his missionary work in Peru, where he spent many years serving local communities and building close relationships with the faithful. The second documentary, Leo from Chicago, released in November, examined his family background, upbringing, and early life in the United States, providing insight into the experiences that influenced his vocation before he entered missionary and Church leadership.
By turning its attention to his years in Rome, the latest film brings together the final chapter of the Pope's personal and pastoral journey before he became Bishop of Rome. Together, the three documentaries present a broad picture of his life across three continents and the experiences that prepared him for the highest office in the Catholic Church.
Leo in Rome was produced by the Editorial Directorate of the Dicastery for Communication. Journalists Felipe Herrera Espaliat, Salvatore Cernuzio, and Tiziana Campisi led the production, while Jaime VizcaĂno Haro and Stefano Anella handled the editing.
The documentary will premiere at 6 p.m. Rome time on July 1 through the Vatican News YouTube channel. It will initially be available in English, Italian, and Spanish, allowing viewers around the world to follow the story of Pope Leo XIV in multiple languages. Vatican News also said that the documentary will be made available to international media organisations upon request.
Before the public release, journalists accredited to the Holy See Press Office will have the opportunity to watch a special preview screening at 5 p.m. on the same day at the Vatican Film Library.
With its combination of rare archival material and personal testimonies, Leo in Rome seeks to offer audiences a deeper understanding of the experiences, friendships, and responsibilities that shaped Pope Leo XIV during the years he lived in the Eternal City before assuming the leadership of the global Catholic Church.