Pope Leo XIV gives Catholic educators lessons from St. Augustine
Catholic News Agency |
31 October 2025
As part of Jubilee of the World of Education, Pope Leo XIV held an Oct. 31, 2025 audience with teachers. / Credit: Vatican Media
Vatican City, Oct 31, 2025 / 16:20 pm (CNA).
Pope Leo XIV said Catholic educators can learn four fundamental values from St. Augustine’s teachings: interiority, unity, love, and joy.
During his Oct. 31 audience with teachers in Rome for the Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 Jubilee of the World of Education, the Holy Father said these four values, taught by the “Doctor of Grace,” are key elements to be incorporated into the mission and work of all educators.
Regarding the value of interiority, Pope Leo said both teachers and students need to “get in touch with their inner selves” in order to discover truth and overcome superficiality in a world dominated by “technological screens.”
According to the Holy Father, the lack of material resources in classrooms is not the main obstacle for teachers, but rather the “real risk” is becoming “tired and overburdened with bureaucratic tasks.”
“Truth does not spread through sounds, walls, and corridors, but in the profound encounter between people, without which any educational endeavor is doomed to fail,” he said.
On the value of unity, Pope Leo said the “dimension of ‘with’ is consistently present in the writings of St. Augustine” and is fundamental as it challenges educators to “de-center” themselves and focus on their pupils.
“‘Your soul belongs not just to you but to your brothers and sisters,’” he said, quoting St. Augustine.
According to Pope Leo, the third value, love, should never be separated from teaching.
“Sharing knowledge is not enough for teaching: Love is needed. Only then will knowledge be beneficial to those who receive it, in itself and above all, for the charity it conveys,” he said.
“The love of God is the First Commandment, the love of neighbor is the first practice,” he said, quoting St. Augustine’s work, “Ten Sermons on the First Epistle of John.”
The fourth and last value Pope Leo asked teachers to consider during their jubilee journey was joy. He said true teachers “educate with a smile” in order to “awaken smiles in the depths of their students’ souls.”
Noting the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and its capacity to impart knowledge in a technical, cold, and standardized way, the pontiff warned teachers to not “further cut off students who are already isolated.”
“The role of educators, on the other hand, is a human endeavor; and the very joy of the educational process is a fully human engagement, a ‘flame to melt our souls together, and out of many to make but one,’” he said, quoting St. Augustine’s “Confessions.”
Australian pilgrim Clare Andreallo, a senior institutional researcher and insights analyst for the University of Notre Dame Australia, attended the papal audience and said it was “affirming to see Catholic education academics, professional staff, students from around the world come together” in St. Peter’s Square on Friday morning.
Bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang consecrated in China
On Friday, December 5, the episcopal ordination of Bishop Francis Li Jianlin took place.
Vatican News
On Friday, 5 December 2025, the episcopal ordination of Bishop Francis Li Jianlin took place. He was appointed Bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang (Henan Province, China) by Pope Leo XIV on 11 August 2025, with his candidacy approved within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, and following the acceptance of the resignation from pastoral governance submitted by Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu.
Curriculum vitae
Francis Li Jianlin was born on 9 July 1974 in the city of Huixian, Henan Province, into a Catholic family. From September 1990 to June 1999, he completed the formation and discernment path in preparation for the priesthood, first at the seminary in Zhengding and then at the seminary in Yixian (Hebei). On 23 July 1999, he received priestly ordination from Bishop Nicola Shi Jingxian of Shangqiu, for the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang. From July 1999 to June 2000, he served as Parish Priest of Qinyang. In 2000, he was entrusted with the formation of seminarians and religious in the jurisdiction. Since 2011, he has held the office of Parish Priest in Jiaozuo.
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Papal preacher: Advent is a time of trusting expectation
“The Parousia of the Lord. An expectation without hesitation” is the theme of the first of three meditations for Christmas, which began this morning, 5 December, in the Paul VI Hall, with Pope Leo in attendance.
By Benedetta Capelli
We are “not lost wayfarers” but “sentinels that, in the night of the world, humbly maintain the confidence” that they will see the light “capable of illuminating every man,” says Father Roberto Pasolini, preacher of the Papal Household, in the first of three Advent meditations on the theme “Awaiting and hastening the coming of the Day of the Lord.”
In his reflection on the first Friday in Advent 2025, Fr Pasolini focused on “the Parousia of the Lord” and on the unique time period we are experiencing: the conclusion of the Jubilee of Hope. “Advent is the time in which the Church rekindles hope,” he emphasized, “contemplating not only the first coming of the Lord, but above all his return at the end of times.”
It is the moment in which we are called “we are called to wait, and at the same time hasten the coming of the Lord with serene and active vigilance.”
Recognizing grace
“Parousia” is a term used by the evangelist Matthew four times in chapter 24 of his Gospel. It is a word with a double meaning: both “presence” and “coming.”
Jesus compares the anticipation of His coming to the days of Noah before the Great Flood. Those were days when life flowed normally, and Noah alone built the ark, the instrument of salvation. His story raises questions necessary to understand what modern man must acknowledge. Faced with new and complex challenges, “the Church is called to remain a sacrament of salvation in an era of change.”
Father Pasolini emphasizes, “Peace remains a mirage in many regions unless longstanding injustices and wounded memories find healing, while in Western culture the sense of transcendence is weakened, crushed by the idols of efficiency, wealth and technology. The advent of artificial intelligence amplifies the temptation of a human being without limits and without transcendence.”
Pope Leo listens to the first Advent meditation (@Vatican Media)
The mystery of a God Who trusts in humanity
However, he continues, recognition is not enough; we must be aware of “the direction in which the Kingdom of God continues to move within history,” returning to the prophetic capacity received in Baptism. We must similarly recognize the grace of God, “that gift of universal salvation which the Church humbly celebrates and offers, so that human life may be raised up from the burden of sin and freed from the fear of death.” The ministers of the Church must be careful to avoid becoming so familiar with God that they take it for granted. And so each generation must come to realize “the mystery of a God who… continues to stand before His creation with unshakeable trust, in the expectation that better days can—and must—still come.”
Eliminating evil
The preacher of the Papal Household reminds us that in order to rediscover the face of God that accompanies “His wounded creation,” we must draw on the story of the universal flood, when the Lord sees evil in the human heart. Human beings cannot overcome that evil simply by changing or evolving; the truth is, humanity needs not only to fulfill itself but to be saved.
“Evil must not simply be forgiven,” Fr Pasolini says. “It must be erased, so that life can finally flourish in its truth and beauty.”
Erasing, in the cancel culture in which humanity today is immersed, is not just destroying everything, eliminating what seems burdensome in others. “Every day we erase many things, without feeling guilty and without doing any harm,” Fr Pasolini said. “We delete messages, useless files, mistakes in a document, stains, traces, debts. On the contrary, many of these gestures are necessary to help our relationships mature and make the world livable.”
Erasing in the context of Advent means opening ourselves to God, starting from our own fragility, and allowing Him to heal us.”
Pope Leo and members of the curia in the Paul VI Hall for the first Advent meditation of 2025 (@Vatican Media)
Life flourishes by putting God back at the center
The Lord never tires of finding “a wise man, one who seeks God,” just as He found Noah, who in turn recognized the Lord's grace. In the man on the ark, God finds the possibility of erasing and starting over. “Only when man returns to living before the true face of God can history truly change,” the Capuchin insisted, adding, “the story of the flood reminds us that life flourishes again only when we rebuild heaven, to the extent that we put God back at the centre.”
Father Pasolini continues, “The flood, therefore, is not simple destruction, but a transition of re-creation through a moment of de-creation… It is a temporary change of the rules of the game, to save the very game that God had inaugurated with confidence.”
Choosing not to harm
The flood is therefore “a paradoxical renewal of life.” God does not forget humanity; He places His bow in the clouds as a sign of covenant; the Lord lays down his weapons with a solemn declaration of non-violence.
“It may seem like a bold metaphor,” Fr Pasolini said, “almost inappropriate when speaking of God and the way His grace manifests itself.”
And yet, he continued, “after millennia of history and evolution, humanity is still far from knowing how to imitate it.” The earth, in fact, “The earth continues to be torn apart by atrocious and endless conflicts, which give no respite to so many weak and defenceless people.”
For this reason, the decision of those who, despite having the ability, voluntarily choose not to harm others is reassuring, because they understand that only by accepting others “can our alliance [with one another] be lasting, true, and free.”
Father Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap., preacher of the papal household (@Vatican Media)
The time of goodness
“Watch therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming”: this is Jesus' final counsel. Not knowing the day and hour of this coming has created great anticipation in the past, the preacher noted, but today things seem to have reversed: “The expectation has diminished so much that it has sometimes given way to a subtle resignation about its actual fulfilment… today, a weary vigilance, tempted by discouragement, often prevails.”
The time of waiting is the time to sow goodness and await the coming of Jesus Christ. The papal preacher warned of two great temptations that affect humanity and the Church: “forgetting the need to be saved and thinking that we can regain consensus by taking care of the outward appearance of our image and reducing the radical nature of the Gospel.”
Instead, Fr Pasolini said, we must return “to the joy – and also the hardship – of following, without taming Christ’s word.” Only as “sentinels upon the world’s frontier,” –as the monk Thomas Merton wrote – can we await the return of Christ.
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South Sudanese bishop: The youth are essential to building peace
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala describes a workshop in South Sudan, dedicated to encouraging young people to bring “peace to them now and to the future of their communities.”
By Kielce Gussie
An intergenerational event held between the 2nd and 3rd of December brought together young people from the ten counties of Western Equatoria State of South Sudan and representatives from various communities and tribes. The workshop’s theme was titled, “The Youth who build Peace, Build the Future.”
Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala from the Diocese of Tombura Yambio in South Sudan explained how essential it is “that the youth commit themselves to what can bring peace to them now and to the future of their communities.”
By the youth, for the youth
Speaking to the Vatican’s Fides news agency, the bishop noted how dialogue has already begun. Yet, he argued, they want the youth “to focus on what they already have, rather than following bad policies that will divide them and haunt not only now and tomorrow, but also the next generation.”
Bishop Hiiboro said the workshop was not just a meeting but a movement—“a movement led by youth, sustained by youth, and enriched by the wisdom of our elders.” He noted several important elements that are useful in reaching peace, including self-love, tribal identity, peace through development, dignity, opportunity, and equality.
Establishing peace in the country is important because, as the bishop stressed, “a nation cannot build new paths on old wounds.” Only when a nation remembers the past and its mistakes, can it heal.
Bishop Hiiboro called on the youth to be “messengers of unity, the unity that is the bridge to a peaceful future.” This entails taking the good and rejecting the harmful that can be found in the culture of the day. Educating young people, he explained, is the key to their defense against manipulation.
Situation in South Sudan
South Sudan has been in the throes of an internal conflict. On 11 November, senior UN officials described the country as “entering a period of rising instability marked by political polarization, renewed armed clashes, and serious humanitarian strain.
Ceasefire violations and fighting between government and opposition groups grew in a number of states, while aerial bombings have also been reported. The UN has said some 7.5 million people face acute food insecurity—worsening the internal struggles for the country.
The ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan has increased strain on South Sudan as more than 1.2 million people have sought refuge in the country since April 2023.
Elections in the world’s youngest country are scheduled for December 2026.
Bishop Hiiboro expressed his hope that together with the young people, they can build a better future. “Young people must be role models for peace, building on faith and moral values. We must pray together, work together, and rise together.”
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Pope receives Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković
Pope Leo XIV welcomes the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, Andrej Plenković, at the Vatican Apostolic Palace. With the Secretary of State, talks included mutual appreciation for the strong bilateral relations and the international context, with a focus on regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and the conflict in Ukraine.
Holy See Press Office
Today, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV received in Audience His Excellency Mr Andrej Plenković, Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, who yesterday, 4 December, had met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, accompanied by the Reverend Monsignor Mihăiță Blaj, Undersecretary for Relations with States.
During the cordial discussions held at the Secretariat of State, the parties expressed their satisfaction with the good relations between the State and the local Church, as well as the intention to further develop cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
The conversation continued with an exchange of views on several matters, with particular attention given to regional cooperation in the Western Balkans and to the conflict in Ukraine.
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Pope Leo: ‘In the poor, the Lord continues to speak to us’
Pope Leo XIV meets artists and organizers on the eve of the annual Christmas Vatican "Concert with the Poor" at its sixth edition.
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV met on Friday with the artists and organisers of the sixth Vatican Concert with the Poor, calling the initiative begun under Pope Francis a “beautiful tradition” as the Church prepares for Christmas.
He recalled Saint Paul’s words about Christ “who for your sake became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich,” noting that the Incarnation is “the revelation of the love that God the Father has for each of us.” The Pope also cited Benedict XVI’s Deus Caritas Est: “This divine activity now takes on dramatic form when, in Jesus Christ, it is God himself who goes in search of the ‘stray sheep’, a suffering and lost humanity.”
Recognise Christ in those most in need
Pope Leo stressed that the concert is not merely a musical event or an act of philanthropy. Quoting the Gospel of Matthew, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me”—he added from his own Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te: “This is not a matter of mere human kindness but a revelation… In the poor, he continues to speak to us.”
Human dignity, he said, does not depend on possessions: “We are not our goods or our things… but rather children loved by God.” For this reason, the concert gives priority to “the most fragile brothers and sisters.”
Music as a path to God
Reflecting on music, Pope Leo recalled that liturgical song “is meant to elevate the soul,” and cited Saint Augustine: “You must sing to Him… sing well, brothers.” And lightheartedly, he said to the artists: “Please, sing well tomorrow!” Music, he added, can be “a form of love… a via pulchritudinis that leads to God.”
The Pope thanked Cardinal Vicar Baldo Reina, Monsignor Marco Frisina, the Choir of the Diocese of Rome, the Orchestra, the Nova Opera Foundation, Serena Autieri, Canadian artist Michael Bublé and his band, and all singers, musicians and partners supporting the event.
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Pope to Catholic University of Taiwan: Be witnesses of wisdom and hope
Pope Leo XIV sends a message to the Catholic University of Taiwan to mark the institution's centenary and invites the community to renew the mission of Gospel-inspired education amid today’s cultural shifts.
By Vatican News
Marking the centenary of Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, Pope Leo sent a message - read out during Holy Mass on Friday morning - in which he offered “heartfelt greetings” to all members of the University community as they “joyfully commemorate one hundred years of academic endeavour inspired by the Gospel”. The Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Kaohsiung, Peter Lau Cheng-chung, in the chapel of Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei.
Founded in 1925 at the request of the Holy See and later reconstituted in Taiwan in 1961, Pope Leo describes Fu Jen as holding “the unique distinction of being the only institution of higher learning established by the Holy See in the Mandarin-speaking world”. Over the decades, he continues, it has borne generous fruit by uniting intellectual excellence with the values expressed in its motto: Veritas, Bonitas, Pulchritudo, Sanctitas. “In doing so, it has helped form men and women who contribute to society with wisdom, integrity, and compassion”, said the Pope.
Pope Leo then invited the members of the community to reflect once again on the noble mission of Catholic higher education, as articulated in Ex corde Ecclesiae: “to explore courageously the riches of Revelation and of nature so that the united endeavor of intelligence and faith will enable people to come to the full measure of their humanity, created in the image and likeness of God”.
He then expressed his hope that the anniversary may “rekindle in all members of the University community a renewed commitment to be witnesses of wisdom and hope in a rapidly changing world”, especially, he added, at a time in which advances in technology, shifting cultural landscapes, and new ethical questions call for a clear moral compass guided by the light of Christ.
In this way, the Pope concluded, "the seeds of faith, knowledge, and service that were planted a century ago will continue to bear fruit for future generations".
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Pope to cardiologists: Curing the heart is both physical and spiritual
Pope Leo meets participants of the Paris Course on Revascularisation during the Jubilee of Hope and tells them that healing the heart requires science, compassion and ethical responsibility.
By Vatican News
Pope Leo on Friday welcomed a group of cardiologists participating in the Paris Course on Revascularisation to the Vatican.
Acknowledging their contribution to advancing the science and practice of interventional cardiology, the Pope noted the distinctive place their work occupies, “at the crossroads of science, compassion and ethical responsibility”.
Service of life
The Pope underlined that each medical act gains its full meaning when rooted in the “service of life”. Citing Evangelium Vitae, he pointed to Christ’s tenderness toward the sick as the model that inspires medical professionals in their care for the vulnerable.
“You seek to heal the heart,” he told them, highlighting both the physical and symbolic dimension of their mission. Every heartbeat entrusted to their expertise, the Pope said, is a reminder that life remains “a gift, always a mystery to be reverenced”.
Pope Leo then encouraged the group to strengthen global collaboration in their field, emphasising the importance of sharing knowledge generously and ensuring that new treatments do not become a privilege for the few. Advances in cardiovascular interventions, he stressed, must remain accessible “especially to the poor and marginalised”.
A blessing for their work
Bringing his address to a close, the Pope entrusted their efforts to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, “physician of souls and bodies”. Finally, Pope Leo expressed his hope that their organisation may continue to unite scientific excellence with a genuine commitment to serving humanity, before praying that they be granted “courage, perseverance and joy” in their demanding work.
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Chris Pratt to present new documentary about St Peter’s tomb
American actor Chris Pratt is currently filming a documentary on the Vatican Necropolis. Produced by Vatican Media, the Fabric of St Peter, and AF Films, it will be released in 2026 for the 400th anniversary of the inauguration and dedication of the Basilica.
Vatican News
Filming is currently underway in St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Necropolis for a documentary produced by Vatican Media, the Fabric of St. Peter, and AF Films (Frank Ariza and Manu Vega) dedicated to the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle. American actor Chris Pratt will guide viewers on this fascinating and unique journey through faith, history, and archaeology. “It is an extraordinary honor", Pratt told Vatican News, "to partner with Pope Leo and the Vatican on this project. St. Peter’s story is foundational to the Christian faith, and I’m deeply grateful for the trust and access granted to help bring his legacy to the screen”.
AF Films has entrusted the Spanish director Paula Ortiz to direct this project. The documentary, written by Andrea Tornielli, with the help of Pietro Zander, will be launched in 2026, on the 400th anniversary of the inauguration and dedication of the current St. Peter's Basilica on November 18, 1626.
The history of the Basilica is intertwined with the life of Peter, the fisherman from Galilee to whom Jesus entrusted the leadership of the Church, and who was martyred in Rome on the Vatican Hill in 64 AD. From the earliest centuries, the area of his burial became a center of devotion and worship. Many Christians wanted to be buried next to him.
Step by step, in an exciting journey through time, and with exclusive images, the viewer will take part in a journey that will lead them to discover the tomb of St Peter. The Emperor Constantine chose to preserve this area by leveling the Vatican Hill to build the first large Basilica, in which the tomb was incorporated.
Through historical evidence and archaeological discoveries, the viewer will discover the Apostle's burial place in the Vatican Necropolis, officially announced in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Ten years earlier he had asked for excavations to begin under the Basilica. In 1968, following subsequent research, Pope Paul VI announced that St Peter's bones had been found: “The relics of Peter,” said the Pope, “have been identified in a way that we can consider convincing... We have reason to believe that the few, but sacrosanct, mortal remains of the Prince of the Apostles have been found.”
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Pope Leo on AI: new generations must be helped, not hindered
Pope Leo XIV says that new generations must be helped and guided when it comes to their relationship with new technologies, and he calls for widespread participation in these efforts.
By Isabella H. de Carvalho
Pope Leo XIV highlighted how “new generations must be helped, not hindered, on their path to maturity and responsibility,” especially when it comes to their relationship with new technologies and artificial intelligence. He was addressing participants in the Conference “Artificial Intelligence and Care for Our Common Home” on Friday, December 5, 2025.
“The ability to access vast amounts of data and information should not be confused with the ability to derive meaning and value from it,” the Pope explained, adding that “The latter requires a willingness to confront the mystery and core questions of our existence, even when these realities are often marginalized or ridiculed by the prevailing cultural and economic models.”
“The well-being of society,” he continued, depends on young people’s “ability to develop their talents and respond to the demands of the times and the needs of others, with generosity and freedom of mind.”
The conference was organized by the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation and the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU). It is taking place on Friday afternoon to present a report that evaluates the impact of artificial intelligence on the industrial, financial, educational and communications fields.
Development of AI must be collaborative effort
Pope Leo invited his audience to teach young people how to use these new technologies with their own intelligence in order to search for truth and broaden their decision-making. “We support their desire to be different and better, because never before has it been so clear that a profound reversal of direction is needed in our idea of maturing,” the Pope said.
He also highlighted that in order to build a future with young people, it is necessary “to restore and strengthen their confidence in the human ability to guide the development” of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, and not see this development as following “an inevitable path.”
“This requires coordinated and concerted action involving politics, institutions, businesses, finance, education, communication, citizens and religious communities,” he said. “Actors from these areas are called upon to undertake a common commitment by assuming this joint responsibility. This commitment comes before any partisan interest or profit, which is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few.”
The Pope insisted on the need for widespread participation to achieve these goals and thanked those present for their contribution through their research.
Humans are co-workers in the work of creation
Pope Leo underlined how artificial intelligence has brought about rapid and deep changes in society and already impacts millions of people daily, while also affecting certain aspects of the human person, “such as critical thinking, discernment, learning and interpersonal relationships”.
With this in mind, he highlighted certain questions to reflect on when evaluating the impact of these technologies: “How can we ensure that the development of artificial intelligence truly serves the common good, and is not just used to accumulate wealth and power in the hands of a few?”
"As I’m sure you’re aware, the commodity that’s most valuable today on the markets is precisely in the area of artificial intelligence," he explained.
Another question he asked was “What does it mean to be human in this moment of history?”
Pope Leo insisted that, given this context, it is very important to “pause and reflect with particular care upon the freedom and inner life of our children and young people, and the possible impact of technology on their intellectual and neurological development.”
He affirmed that “human beings are called to be co-workers in the work of creation, not merely passive consumers of content generated by artificial technology.”
“Artificial intelligence has certainly opened up new horizons for creativity, but it also raises serious concerns about its possible repercussions on humanity’s openness to truth and beauty, and capacity for wonder and contemplation,” he said.
“Recognizing and safeguarding what characterizes the human person and guarantees his or her balanced growth,” he emphasized, “is essential for establishing an adequate framework for managing the consequences of artificial intelligence.”
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Pope meets Roberto Benigni ahead of Saint Peter monologue premiere
Pope Leo XIV views excerpts of Roberto Benigni’s upcoming monologue “Peter: A Man in the Wind,” produced in collaboration with Vatican Media and airing on Italian state TV.
Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV received Oscar-winning Italian actor and director Roberto Benigni on Thursday afternoon at the Apostolic Palace, together with Italian state TV CEOs and producers.
According to a note released on Telegram by the Holy See Press Office, the visit took place ahead of the Rai 1 broadcast of “Peter: A Man in the Wind,” a monologue by Benigni produced in collaboration with Vatican Media and presented earlier in the day at the MAXXI Museum in Rome.
The Pope watched several excerpts from the production and remarked, “How beautiful, it speaks about love.”
Before the screening, he and Benigni spoke about cinema, including Benigni's own Oscar-winning film Life Is Beautiful and Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life, both of which the Pope has named among his four favourite films.
Their conversation extended to themes central to the monologue: the life of Saint Peter, the works of Dante and Saint Augustine, the Divine Comedy, and the Confessions.
Also attending the meeting were Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication; Stefano D’Agostini, Director of Vatican Media; and members of Benigni’s creative team.
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