Pope Leo XIV appears in documentary film on St. Peter's tomb

Pope Leo XIV appears in the documentary film Pétros ení (Peter is Here), which explores the archaeological discoveries and the tomb of Saint Peter located beneath St. Peter's Basilica. The film premiered on October 16, 2026, at the Rome Film Festival to mark the 400th anniversary of the consecration of the basilica.

Directed by Paula Ortiz and written by Andrea Tornielli, the documentary features American actor Chris Pratt as the narrator. The film examines the ancient Roman necropolis found during excavations commissioned by Pope Pius XII in 1939. In the final scenes, Pope Leo XIV discusses the significance of the site, explaining that the basilica was built over the location where the apostle was martyred. The pope also reflects on the human nature of the apostle, noting that the Church was founded on a weak man.

The production was a collaboration between AF Films, Vatican Media, and the Fabric of Saint Peter. It includes footage of the Vatican necropolis, which contains various mausoleums and burial chambers.