The documentary “Francis: The Pope of the New World” will be shown on the big screen for the first time during the John Paul II International Film Festival, being held April 3-12 in Miami. Produced by the Knights of Columbus, the documentary recounts the life of Pope Francis from his childhood, including his role in the Church in Argentina and his election as the supreme leader of the Catholic Church. “The film brings to life the story few people know — the story of Jorge Bergoglio, who came from humble beginnings and relative obscurity and is now the leader of the Catholic Church,” said Supreme Knight Carl Anderson, one of the documentary’s executive producers. “It is fitting that the life of Pope Francis be featured at a film festival named in honor of Blessed John Paul II since it was Pope John Paul who named Bergoglio archbishop and cardinal, and it is Pope Francis who will name John Paul II a saint.” “Both popes continue to be inspirational figures to Catholics and non-Catholics alike,” Anderson added, “and both provide the world, and each of us, with a remarkable witness of living out the Gospel.” The film will be shown April 12 at 3:15 p.m. at the Paragon Grove 13 Cinema in Coconut Grove. It was primarily filmed on location in Argentina and features interviews with close friends and co-workers of Pope Francis, as well as his biographer and those living in poverty in Buenos Aires. The documentary begins with the electrifying moment when Pope Francis stands before the crowd in St. Peter’s Square on the day of his election. It then takes viewers through both the ordinary and climactic events of his life, tracing his work for those threatened in Argentina’s “Dirty War,” his advocacy for those affected by economic and political turmoil, and the opposition he sometimes encountered from Argentina’s political elites. The John Paul II International Film Festival was founded in 2009, 10 years after John Paul II, himself a playwright, poet and actor, wrote a letter to the world’s artists to urge them to use their talents to uplift society, to teach and preach human dignity, and to help the people of today to better understand the mysteries of both God and man. The organizer of the film festival, Miami-based 7eventh Day Media, Inc., is committed to hosting the annual event to give a home to filmmakers who have chosen to use their medium to express and share a message of hope, struggle, triumph, and love with the world. For those in the Miami area, tickets to the showing of the documentary can be obtained at: https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/932440. A trailer for the documentary and information on how to purchase the DVD can be found at: http://www.popefrancisdocumentary.com/.
