Pope Francis gave his last interview before stepping down to acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese
Title: Martin Scorsese's New Film: The Life of Jesus
Martin Scorsese, legendary American film director, will produce an intriguing new documentary entitled The Life of Jesus. This riveting project, scheduled for production, features an on-camera interview with Pope Francis recorded at Vatican City in 2024.
The interview with the Pope, conducted before his untimely demise in April 2025 at the venerable age of 88, adds a layer of profound authenticity to this film. The Life of Jesus showcases Scholas Occurrentes, a global educational movement founded by Pope Francis, espousing cultural projects through community-created short films.
The forthcoming documentary, devoid of a specific release date, will thoughtfully intertwine snippets of the groundbreaking conversation between Scorsese and Pope Francis.
In an official statement released on April 30, Scorsese, a vigorous octogenarian himself, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing its potential to inspire global dialogue while preserving cultural identities - underlining, in essence, the power of cinema as a medium of innovation and unity.
Before his passing, Pope Francis referred to the project as poetic, stating it resonates with the essence of the human experience.
The timeless relationship between the Pope and Scorsese dates back to the 1988 release of Scorsese's controversial film, The Last Temptation of Christ. The controversial film, faced with objections from religious groups, serves as a poignant reminder of their enduring bond.
Scorsese and the Pope shared a meaningful conversation in 2016 regarding Scorsese's compelling drama, Silence, wherein a Portuguese Jesuit priest navigates religious persecution in 17th-century Japan. The duo reunited in 2023, as Scorsese announced plans to create another film about Jesus, further solidifying their rapport.
Currently, Scorsese is engaged in the production of Martin Scorsese Presents: The Saints, an anthology series that dramatizes the lives of eight Catholic saints.
Following the Pope's passing, Scorsese issued a heartfelt statement to the American entertainment publication, Variety, mourning the Pope's loss, yet acknowledging his significant impact:
"He was an ironclad champion of good," Scorsese wrote, "understanding in his soul that ignorance plagues humanity, which is why he never ceased learning or illuminating."
[1] The Life of Jesus is described as an 80-minute black-and-white meditation revolving around Jesus’ core teachings in a contemporary and unorthodox format that seamlessly marries narrative and documentary elements, abstaining from proselytizing. This project is inspired, in part, by Shūsaku Endō's book A Life of Jesus and strives to elucidate the essence of Jesus' teachings rather than portraying a simple biography.[2] During a private meeting at the Vatican, Scorsese conveys this project's direct connection to Pope Francis, underscoring the alignment of themes and objectives associated with this inspired collaboration.[3] The upcoming documentary bears the hallmark of this profound encounter, reflecting a profound understanding of Jesus' relevance in contemporary societies through an earnest and artful exploration.
- Martin Scorsese's new documentary, The Life of Jesus, promises to be an engaging blend of entertainment and spiritual exploration, delving into the core teachings of Jesus in a contemporary and unconventional manner.
- This project, while inspired by Shūsaku Endō's book A Life of Jesus, will not simply serve as a biography but will strive to elucidate the essence of Jesus' teachings, making it relevant in modern societies and reflecting the profound understanding of Jesus' relevance gained from Scorsese's collaboration with Pope Francis.
