Film starring Pope Francis to get first showing at Vatican

The Pope stars as himself in Beyond the Sun, a film about children searching for God

Sep 22, 2017

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis will make his screen debut on Wednesday at the first official showing of a film in which the Pontiff plays himself.

The Pope has a cameo appearance in Beyond the Sun, a film about children searching for God. All proceeds from the movie will go to charities helping disadvantaged children in Argentina, the Pope’s country of birth.

Andrea Iervolino, one of the film’s producers, told the Guardian filming the Pope was an overwhelming experience.

“We make eight to 10 movies every year with big movie stars … This is not just a movie. This is something special.”

Pope Francis appears on screen for a total of six minutes at the middle and end of the film.

It took about a day to arrange the shoot, with extensive security checks, but the eventual filming took just a matter of minutes.

Iervolino says the film shows the Pontiff as a “man of the people”, teaching the children how to read the Gospels.

“Don’t think of [the gospels] as a huge book,” the Pope tells them. “The gospels are small. But you have to read them slowly, bit by bit. And you should be with someone who can explain whatever you don’t understand.

“I recommend people who are adults to always carry a small gospel with them in their pockets, in the woman’s purse, because – on the subway or on the bus, or waiting at the doctor’s, who knows – you can read a little. Or you keep it at home.”

He adds: “Speak to Jesus … Tell him what’s happening to you. What happened today. Tell him the things you saw and you disliked, or in the school or out in the streets, or in your family … Jesus is waiting for you, and he is looking for you, and you don’t realise … Look for him, and that’s how you will find each other. Dare to do it.”

Iervolino says the Pope’s scene was unscripted and filmed in a single shot.

After filming, the Pope told the crew: “Please pray for me,” before departing

“We’re doing this for charity. He’s doing this to help. This is very special thing. He’s an amazing man. This is another way to help the world,” Iervolino said.

The film gets its first official showing at the Vatican on Wednesday night, before its official release at Christmas.--Catholic Herald