Skip to content

Vatican releases ‘Leo from Chicago’ biopic

Image from trailer of the documentary biopic “Leo from Chicago.” | Credit: Vatican Media

The Vatican has officially released the documentary “Leo from Chicago” about the life of Pope Leo XIV in the United States, coinciding with the sixth month of the pontificate of the first American and Peruvian pope in the history of the Catholic Church.

The documentary premiered Nov. 10 at 4 p.m. Rome time and was screened at the Vatican Film Library for journalists accredited to the Holy See Press Office. At 6 p.m. Rome time it was published on the Vatican News YouTube channels in English, Italian, and Spanish, according to a statement from the Dicastery for Communication.

The documentary was produced by the Dicastery for Communication in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Apostolado El Sembrador Nueva Evangelización (The Sower New Evangelization Apostolate.)

The project was led by journalists Deborah Castellano Lubov, Salvatore Cernuzio, and Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, with editing by Jaime Vizcaíno Haro. It shows various locations, including the Dolton neighborhood in suburban Chicago where the pope lived with his family, and features the memories and stories of the Holy Father’s brothers, Louis Martin and John Prevost.

Also featured are the offices, schools, and parishes run by the Augustinians, the Catholic Theological Union study center, and places frequented by Robert Prevost, such as Aurelio’s Pizza and Rate Field, the White Sox baseball stadium.

The overview includes scenes from Villanova University near Philadelphia and Port Charlotte, Florida, where the pope’s older brother lives.

The documentary features some 30 testimonies from people who knew Leo XIV in his childhood and youth; for example, when he marched in Washington, D.C., to support the pro-life cause. 

“Leo from Chicago” is the documentary that follows “Leo from Peru,” released in June, about the pope’s years in the South American country.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA’s Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

“Leo From Chicago”

Receive the most important news from EWTN Vatican via WhatsApp. It has become increasingly difficult to see Catholic news on social media. Subscribe to our free channel today

Share

Would you like to receive the latest updates on the Pope and the Vatican

Receive articles and updates from our EWTN Newsletter.

More news related to this article

PHOTOS: Pilgrims keep watch with Eucharist at altars of repose in Rome

On Holy Thursday night, the Eternal City was alight with candlelit altars housing the blessed sacrament. ROME —

Pope Francis entrusts all mothers to Blessed Virgin Mary on Mother’s Day

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Gyumri, Armenia, June 25, 2016.

Children and youth to play central role in Pope Francis visit to Papua New Guinea

Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Papua New Guinea from Sept. 6–9 will put children and youth at the forefront, highlighting their central role in the Church's mission.

FULL TEXT: Pope Leo XIV addresses Centesimus Annus Foundation on Catholic social teaching

Pope Leo XIV urged members of the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation to embrace Catholic social doctrine as a path beyond polarization on Saturday, May 17, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis’ death: Vatican holds first step in papal funeral rites

Following Pope Francis’ death at age 88 on Easter Monday, the Vatican carried out the first stage in the papal funeral rites, called “the rite of the ascertainment of death and deposition in the coffin.”

Pope Francis: The devil is threatening the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church with division

In a meeting with Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil and members of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church at the Vatican on Monday, Pope Francis urged unity and obedience amid a long-simmering liturgical conflict that continues to rock the Eastern church.

LIVE
FROM THE VATICAN

Be present live on EWTNVatican.com