Scorsese to turn Pope Francis’ final interview into film

Director Martin Scorsese will produce a new documentary based on what are believed to be Pope Francis’ final in-depth interviews on film, as reported by La Vanguardia on May 1. The project, titled Aldeas: A New Story, will center on the Pope’s vision of art — particularly cinema — as a means to foster peace, education, and global understanding.

The film is a joint production between Aldeas Scholas Film — the cinematic arm of the Pope’s educational foundation Scholas Occurrentes — and Scorsese’s own Sikelia Productions. It draws from a series of conversations between the late Pope and the director, some filmed shortly before the Pontiff’s passing on April 21 at the age of 88.

Described by producers as “intimate and culturally ambitious,” the documentary will feature footage from Scholas programs around the world. The focus is the Aldeas initiative, which invites young people from diverse backgrounds to create short films as expressions of their life experiences and values. Participants from countries like Italy, Indonesia, and Gambia are featured in the documentary as they explore storytelling as a tool for community and reconciliation.

Founded by Pope Francis in 2013, Scholas Occurrentes promotes what he called a “Culture of Encounter” — a phrase he used often to describe his hope for a world more open to dialogue, compassion, and a sense of our common humanity.

For him, Aldeas was not just educational:

The documentary also echoes long-standing themes in Scorsese’s work, particularly the search for meaning and grace in a fractured world. His earlier religiously themed films, including Silence (2016) and The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), earned critical acclaim (and controversy) for their depth and moral complexity.

Scorsese had a personal connection to Pope Francis, forged through multiple private meetings at the Vatican. One such encounter in 2023 left a deep impression on the Pope — not for cinematic reasons, but for a small act of love. The director brought his ailing wife to the audience, placing her needs before any formalities.

Following the Pope’s death, Scorsese shared a tribute calling him “an extraordinary human being” who “never stopped learning, never stopped illuminating.” In a statement published by Variety, the director wrote: “The loss for the world is immense. But the light he left behind — that light won’t go out.”

While Aldeas: A New Story has no confirmed release date, the project is already being recognized for its symbolic weight. It marks both the final filmed reflections of Pope Francis and a continuation of Scorsese’s engagement with spiritual themes. It also highlights the Pope’s often-overlooked role as a cultural leader who saw in young people not just hope, but creativity.

At its core, the documentary is about encounter — the very thing Pope Francis spoke of most. Not a lecture, but a conversation. Not a sermon, but a story.