Vatican to Release Documentary ‘León de Perú’ Spotlighting the Peruvian Journey of the Pope from Chicago

A man known across the globe now returns to the screen in a quieter light. Not cloaked in the formalities of the papacy nor framed by the towering weight of the Vatican, but rather walking through the narrow streets of Peru where he once built a life rooted in service. Before he became León XIV, Robert Francis Prevost was a missionary. Before the crimson of Rome, there was the sun of Chiclayo, Peru. Now, his story is being told through the voices of those who remember not a pope, but a priest.

A Pontiff Shaped by Peru

The Vatican has released a new documentary titled León de Perú, a portrait of the current pope’s decades of pastoral work across the South American country where he spent nearly four decades of his life. The film traces his steps through Chulucanas, Trujillo, Lima, Callao, and Chiclayo, capturing the weight and intimacy of his journey through the words of parishioners, local leaders, and friends who witnessed his presence long before he was called to lead the Catholic Church.

Unlike other papal profiles that tend to linger in ceremonial halls or theological debates, León de Perú begins in dusty courtyards and modest churches. It remembers a man who arrived with a mission and stayed long enough to become part of the country’s religious and social fabric. His role as Archbishop of Chiclayo, along with his work in the broader ecclesiastical landscape of Peru, is rendered through intimate recollections that give shape to a figure rarely seen without a formal title.

Pope León XIV Is a U.S. Citizen with Peruvian Roots

Born in the United States and holding dual nationality, León XIV’s connection to Peru is more than symbolic. His lived experience among the people shaped his approach to faith, community, and service. In the film, his story is not lifted by sweeping narration but grounded by real accounts of lives changed through everyday interaction. Parishioners speak of his ability to listen, to walk without spectacle, and to work within the realities of poverty, conflict, and spiritual doubt.

The Vatican, through its Dicastery for Communication, produced the documentary in Spanish, English, and Italian. Its premiere on the YouTube channel of Vatican News reflects a strategic effort to reach audiences across continents, inviting viewers to meet León XIV not through doctrine but through his earlier devotion to the people of Peru. This is not a story told with grandiosity but with quiet conviction.

León de Perú, a Film That Speaks Through Memory

León de Perú lets the audience see that the life of a pontiff does not begin with white robes or balcony appearances. It begins in the choices made when few are watching. Furthermore, the documentary does not seek to canonize or mythologize but to remember. It reflects a man who was formed through encounter, whose understanding of leadership came from years spent listening to the needs of the most overlooked.

This Friday at 5:00 p.m. local time, viewers across the world can watch the film as it streams in three languages.