‘Leone a Roma’: Vatican media documentary on Pope’s years in Rome

Vatican, May 7, 2026: “Leone a Roma” is a new documentary produced by the Vatican media that traces the nearly two decades Pope Leo XIV spent in Rome before his election to the See of Peter. Produced to mark the first anniversary of his pontificate, the film will be broadcast on Vatican media channels and made available to media organisations upon request.

The documentary retraces the years Pope Leo XIV—then Robert Francis Prevost—spent in Rome and presents a portrait of the future Pope through the memories of those who knew him during his time in the Eternal City.

Titled “Leone a Roma” (“Leo in Rome”), the documentary follows the journey of the first American-born Pope from his arrival in Rome from the United States in 1981 to his service as Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine and later as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

Produced on the occasion of the first anniversary of his election to the See of Peter on May 8, 2025, the film includes testimonies, images, and personal recollections from friends, confreres, priests, religious, young people, and families who accompanied him during different stages of his years in Rome.

The documentary begins with memories from those who first welcomed the young Augustinian deacon to the International College of Saint Monica after he arrived from Chicago in the early 1980s. Their recollections recall moments of study and fraternity, prayer and pastoral activity, and everyday life shared among students in Rome.

It also revisits Prevost’s years as Prior General of the Augustinians, a role he served for two consecutive terms from 2001 to 2013. Former collaborators and confreres describe his leadership of the Order during years marked by international travel, missionary visits, and the governance of a global religious family.

The film also highlights his spiritual life and pastoral closeness through testimonies from people who encountered him in places of devotion and ministry, including catechism classes in Cesano, prayer at the shrine of Saint Rita in Cascia, the tomb of Saint Augustine in Pavia, and the sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano.

Attention is also given to his final Roman service before the conclave: the two years he spent in the Roman Curia as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops after being appointed by Pope Francis, who also created him cardinal.

Through these accounts, “Leone a Roma” seeks to present a portrait of the man who would become Pope Leo XIV as a friend, pastor, and leader whose years in Rome helped shape his ministry in the service of the universal Church.

The documentary was produced by Vatican Media journalists Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, Salvatore Cernuzio, and Tiziana Campisi, with editing by Jaime Vizcaíno Haro and Stefano Anella.

It is the third documentary on Pope Leo XIV produced by Vatican media, following “León de Perú,” released in June 2025 and focused on his missionary years in Peru, and “Leo from Chicago,” released in November 2025 on his American roots.

“Leone a Roma” will be broadcast on Vatican media’s official channels alongside the anniversary of the beginning of Pope Leo XIV’s Petrine ministry and will also be made available to media organisations upon request.

Courtesy: Vatican News