Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese expressed his sadness over the passing of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on April 21, just after Easter Sunday. Scorsese, who had the privilege of meeting the Pope on several occasions, acknowledged the profound impact Francis had on humanity.

A Remarkable Human Being

In a statement to Variety, Scorsese described Pope Francis as a person who was “in every way, a remarkable human being.” He elaborated on the Pope’s humility, mentioning how he “acknowledged his own failings” while radiating “wisdom” and “goodness.” Scorsese highlighted Francis’s unwavering commitment to the good and his understanding of ignorance as a significant issue for humanity. He praised the Pope for his lifelong dedication to enlightenment and forgiveness.

Documentary Project: Celebrating Francis’ Creative Spirit

Before his death, Pope Francis participated in what is expected to be his final in-depth on-camera interview with Scorsese. This interview is a central feature of a new documentary titled Aldeas – A New Story, which focuses on the Pope’s belief in the sacred nature of creativity.

The documentary aims to reflect Francis’s vision through the lens of Scholas Occurrentes, an international educational initiative he founded that encourages youth from diverse backgrounds to enact positive change. It will also showcase the Aldeas initiative, which emphasizes the creation of short films designed to foster cultural understanding.

A Poetic Exploration of Humanity

In discussing the documentary, Pope Francis referred to it as “an extremely poetic and very constructive project” that delves into fundamental aspects of human life, sociability, and conflict. The production team aims to highlight the essence of the human journey as seen through the eyes of the Pope.

While a release date has not been announced, the anticipation surrounding the project continues to grow.