Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio, passed away on Monday, 21 April 2025, at the age of 88. His death occurred at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, following a recent hospitalisation for double pneumonia . As news of his passing spread worldwide, it was not only the Catholic community that mourned but also individuals from diverse faiths and backgrounds. Known for his humility, warmth, and unwavering advocacy for the poor, the environment, and social justice, Pope Francis redefined what it meant to be a spiritual leader in the 21st century.
He was the first Pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order), the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian Pope Gregory III. Following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March. He chose Francis as his papal name in honour of Saint Francis of Assisi. But beyond the headlines and historic milestones, there was a man who lived simply, spoke gently, and acted with courage. A man who preferred modest apartments to palaces, who kissed the feet of refugees, and who reminded the world, often with just a few words, what it means to be kind.
If you’re looking to better understand the man behind the papacy, or simply want to reflect on the values he championed, there are a few powerful documentaries that offer a deeper, more intimate look at his life.
Here are three films that bring us closer to his story.
Pope Francis: A Man of His Word (2018)
Directed by: Wim Wenders
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Apple TV
This documentary is perhaps the most meditative and intimate portrayal of Pope Francis. Rather than following a traditional biographical format, it allows him to speak directly to the viewer. Throughout the film, Pope Francis looks straight into the camera, sharing his reflections on key issues like income inequality, consumerism, environmental destruction, and human dignity. The effect is powerful, you feel like he’s sitting across from you, speaking from the heart.
Director Wim Wenders, known for his poetic filmmaking, deliberately avoids flashy visuals or dramatic reenactments. Instead, he pairs Pope Francis’ words with simple, beautifully composed imagery, shots of nature, people, cities, and quiet human moments. The film also includes scenes of his travels around the world, showing him embracing children, visiting disaster zones, and addressing parliaments and congregations with the same soft tone and steady presence.
The Letter: A Message for Our Earth (2022)
Produced by: Off the Fence
Where to watch: YouTube – Free
Based on Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, this film explores his passionate plea to protect the environment and those most affected by climate change. But what makes this documentary truly moving is how it brings together people from around the world to carry that message forward.
In The Letter, we meet five very different individuals: a young climate activist from India, an Indigenous leader from the Amazon, a Senegalese climate refugee, and a married couple of scientists from the U.S. They are all invited to the Vatican for a private conversation with Pope Francis.
Pope Francis doesn’t dominate the screen here. but, he listens. He welcomes each guest with genuine warmth and openness. Their meeting feels more like a family gathering than a formal summit, and it becomes clear how much he values human connection and community-led change.
Francesco (2020)
Directed by: Evgeny Afineevsky
Where to watch: YouTube (paid), Discovery+ (previously available)
Francesco offers perhaps the most comprehensive and emotionally layered portrait of Pope Francis to date. it’s a journey through his past, his papacy, and the complicated, often painful realities he faced head-on.
The documentary covers a wide range of issues, from the refugee crisis and LGBTQ+ rights to clergy abuse and the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes rare archival footage and new interviews with those close to him, including people who have been personally impacted by his actions. One of the most discussed moments from the film came when Pope Francis expressed his support for civil unions for same-sex couples, a statement that rippled across global headlines.
But the heart of Francesco lies in its honesty. We see Pope Francis as someone unafraid to admit failures within the Church, someone willing to listen to survivors, and someone determined to rebuild trust, even when it’s painful. The film also gives us a glimpse into his early life in Argentina, his struggles, his formation as a Jesuit, and the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership.
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Evgeny Afineevsky, Francesco does not hold back. It’s emotional. It’s political. It’s spiritual. And it presents a Pope not just as a symbol of faith, but as a deeply human figure navigating one of the most complex roles in the world.
Originally Published on Ceylon Today