Legendary director Martin Scorsese is set to honor the late Papa Francis through a compelling new documentary titled Aldeas — A New Story. The film, produced in collaboration with the Vatican, promises to be a powerful cinematic reflection on Pope Francis’s global educational legacy and will feature what is believed to be his final extended on-camera interview before his passing on April 21.

At its core, the documentary focuses on Scholas Occurrentes, a youth-driven non-profit founded by Papa Francis in 2013 to bridge cultural divides and promote dialogue. The Aldeas initiative, an offshoot of this movement, empowers young people across countries like Indonesia, Italy, and The Gambia to tell their stories and confront social challenges through the medium of film.

Scorsese’s Sikelia Productions joins forces with Aldeas Scholas Film in producing this project. Together, they describe the documentary as “a testament to the enduring belief that creativity is not only a means of expression but a path to hope and transformation.”

Before his death, Papa Francis had praised Aldeas as “poetic and constructive,” emphasizing its power to explore the human spirit, conflict, and community. His guiding philosophy shapes the heart of the film.

Scorsese, long an admirer of the Pope, emphasized that storytelling and cinema remain vital tools in building cross-cultural empathy. While the release date remains unconfirmed, anticipation is building — not only for the film but also for the conclave on May 7, when the world awaits Francis’s successor.