Hollywood star Chris Pratt and Pope Leo XIV have teamed up for a groundbreaking cinematic exploration of Christianity’s most foundational archaeological site. Titled Pétros Ení: Discovering the Origins, the roughly 60-minute documentary takes audiences deep beneath the floorboards of St. Peter’s Basilica to examine the history, artifacts, and enduring mystery surrounding the tomb of the apostle Peter.
The high-profile film premiered on October 16, 2026, at the Rome Film Festival, arriving just ahead of the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter’s Basilica on November 18, 2026. Produced by AF Films in collaboration with Vatican Media and the Fabric of St. Peter, the project merges historical documents, archival audio and video recordings, archaeological research, and exclusive footage from areas of the Vatican Necropolis typically restricted to the general public.
A Journey Deep Beneath the Vatican
The documentary is directed by acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Paula Ortiz and written by Vatican Editorial Director Andrea Tornielli, with consulting from leading necropolis archaeologist Pietro Zander. The narrative follows Chris Pratt as he walks the path of an ordinary pilgrim before descending into the ancient Roman burial ground preserved beneath the modern basilica.
For Pratt, best known for blockbuster franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, the project offered a deeply personal look into his Christian faith. Raised Catholic, Pratt spoke candidly about what the experience meant to him during the film’s premiere rollout.
“What I would like audiences to understand about Peter after watching this documentary is that he was an imperfect man. He was a weak man. He was a human being,” Pratt said in an introductory video. “His strength lies in the grace of Jesus and his faith in God. With that strength, through grace and faith, you can be incredibly strong.”
Uncovering the Remains of the First Apostle
The film navigates centuries of complex historical detection, tracking how a simple Roman cemetery transformed into a monumental center of Christian devotion. According to historical records, Peter was martyred during the persecutions of Emperor Nero, crucified upside down in the circus that once towered over Vatican Hill. Early Christians venerated his burial site in secret, later inspiring Emperor Constantine to level parts of the hill’s slopes to construct the original basilica.
The documentary details the modern excavations ordered by Pope Pius XII in 1939, which uncovered the ancient necropolis. It highlights the painstaking work of epigrapher Margherita Guarducci, who successfully decoded the Greek inscription Petros Ení (“Peter is here”). Subsequent scientific findings led Pope Paul VI to announce in 1968 that human remains discovered in a protective box belonged convincingly to a man in his sixties, matching the historical profile of the apostle.
Pope Leo XIV’s Closing Reflection
The documentary culminates in the final scenes with an appearance by Pope Leo XIV, who descends toward the burial place of St. Peter to deliver a direct reflection on the legacy of the papacy.
“When we look at the splendor of St. Peter’s and the colonnade that opens its arms to embrace the world, it is good to remember why this basilica was built right here,” Pope Leo states in the film. “The ground is soaked with the blood of the apostle.”
The release of the documentary aligns with a delicate period for the pontiff, who has been recovering following lung surgery to treat cancer. True to the pope’s prior teachings, such as his major document Magnifica Humanitas, which warned against the ethical dangers of artificial intelligence, the production explicitly notes that no artificial intelligence was used in crafting its cinematic sweeps and historical reconstructions.
Global Theatrical Release Schedule
Following its initial premiere in Spain on October 9 and its debut at the Rome Film Festival, Pétros Ení: Discovering the Origins is scheduled for a wider international theatrical rollout in February 2027, timed to coincide with the opening weeks of Lent.
Distribution partnerships have been established globally to bring the film to audiences worldwide:
- United States and Canada: Distributed by Hallow Studios.
- Spain: Released by Bosco Films.
- Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia: Managed by Cinépolis +Que Cine.
With its rare access to restricted Vatican archives, high-profile narration, and a personal papal address, Pétros Ení bridges the gap between modern cinematic storytelling and centuries of sacred Christian heritage.
