Why is Pope Leo XIV’s past in Peru drawing global attention? Just over a month into his pontificate, the Vatican is shining a spotlight on the transformative missionary work of Pope Leo XIV—then Robert Francis Prevost—through a new documentary titled “León de Perú.” The film aims to bring Catholics around the world closer to the heart and history of a man whose faith and service shaped entire communities long before he ascended to the Chair of Peter.
The documentary is being released by the Editorial Directorate of the Dicastery for Communication and will premiere at 5:00 PM (Rome time) on June 20, 2025, on the Vatican News YouTube channel. It will be available in Spanish, English, and Italian, making it widely accessible to the global Church.
According to Vatican News, the film “retraces the missionary work of Robert Francis Prevost in Peru,” highlighting his pastoral and social outreach in places like Chulucanas, Trujillo, Lima, Callao, and Chiclayo. These communities are brought to life through the testimonies of those who personally witnessed Prevost’s compassionate leadership and enduring dedication to the poor and marginalized.
The documentary was created by Vatican journalists Salvatore Cernuzio, Felipe Herrera-Espaliat, and Jaime Vizcaíno Haro. A special preview screening for accredited media will take place an hour before the public release, at 4:00 PM in the Vatican Film Library. Journalists must request access through the online accreditation system at press.vatican.va/accreditamenti.
As Leo XIV begins his service to the Universal Church, León de Perú offers a timely and powerful reflection on his missionary roots and the values that continue to guide his papacy.
