Renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese is producing a new documentary titled Aldeas — A New Story, focusing on Pope Francis’s legacy in global education and inter-cultural dialogue. This Vatican-backed film will feature what is believed to be the Pope’s final extended on-camera interview before his passing on April 21, 2025.
Aldeas — A New Story will explore the impact of Scholas Occurrentes, a non-profit international organization founded by Pope Francis in 2013. The organization promotes cultural understanding among youth through collaborative, creative projects. A central feature of the documentary is the Aldeas initiative, which empowers young people across the world to create short films addressing social issues and human connection.
The documentary, a collaboration between Aldeas Scholas Film and Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions, follows youth from Indonesia, Italy, and The Gambia as they participate in Aldeas filmmaking workshops. The project highlights storytelling as a transformative tool for communication, empathy, and unity.
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In a joint statement, the producers described the film as “a testament to the enduring belief that creativity is not only a means of expression but a path to hope and transformation.”
Before his death, Pope Francis described the Aldeas project as “an extremely poetic and very constructive project” that delves into “the roots of human life, sociability, and conflict.” His reflections and values are expected to serve as the emotional core of the documentary.
Scorsese, who met Pope Francis on multiple occasions, emphasized their shared belief in the power of cinema to foster cross-cultural dialogue.“Now, more than ever, we need to talk to each other, listen across cultures,” Scorsese said. “Cinema offers a bridge for understanding and preserving our diverse identities.”
While a release date has not yet been announced, Aldeas — A New Story follows Scorsese’s earlier religiously themed works, including Silence and The Last Temptation of Christ, as well as the docuseries Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints.
A conclave is scheduled for May 7 to select Pope Francis’s successor, as global tributes continue to reflect on his profound spiritual and educational legacy.
