‘Leo in Rome’: Vatican News documentary to be released on July 1

Vatican News

Following León de Perú and Leo from Chicago, Vatican News is releasing “Leo in Rome”, a new documentary retracing the years Robert Francis Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, spent in the Eternal City.

Covering a period of approximately 20 years, the film follows his journey from the United States to Italy in 1981, then looks at his years leading the Order of Saint Augustine for two terms, and also his appointment as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and his elevation to the College of Cardinals in 2023.

Years of friendship, study, travel, excursions, encounters, meetings, pilgrimages, and work are all told through previously unreleased images and footage, as well as through the voices of fellow Augustinians, former classmates, old friends, and members of the Order and of the Dicastery for Bishops.

Leo in Rome completes Vatican News’ journey exploring the life and character of the Pope, which began with the documentary León de Perú, released in June 2025, focusing on his missionary years in the South American country, and continued with Leo from Chicago, released in November and looking at Prevost’s American roots.

The documentary is a production of the Editorial Directorate of the Dicastery for Communication. It was produced by journalists Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, Salvatore Cernuzio, and Tiziana Campisi, and was edited by Jaime Vizcaíno Haro and Stefano Anella.

At 6:00 p.m. (Rome time) on Wednesday, July 1, the documentary will be released on Vatican News’ YouTube channel, initially in three languages—English, Italian, and Spanish—and will also be made available to international media outlets upon request.

For journalists accredited to the Holy See Press Office, a preview screening will be held the same day at 5:00 p.m. at the Vatican Film Library.