Chris Pratt joins Pope Leo to unearth the secrets behind the Vatican’s restricted Necropolis
Peter is here.
Chris Pratt is teaming up with Pope Leo XIV for a new documentary that explores the hidden history beneath the Vatican. The film, titled Pétros Ení: Discovering the Origins (Pétros ení: Alla scoperta delle origini), takes viewers into the restricted Vatican Necropolis. It offers an exclusive look at the archaeological search for the tomb of St. Peter.
According to Newsweek, the documentary is set for a theatrical release in February 2027, coinciding with the first week of Lent. A trailer for the project was first shared on October 16, 2026. The film marks the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter’s Basilica. That landmark event occurred on November 18, 1626.
The production comes from AF Films in collaboration with Vatican Media and the Fabric of St. Peter. The film lasts about one hour and features footage that has never been seen on screen before.
Chris Pratt serves as the viewer’s guide for this journey
The Guardians of the Galaxy actor begins the film walking through St. Peter’s Square at night. He then enters the Basilica alone. The film captures his sense of wonder as he walks through the nave. The documentary relies on more than just new footage. It draws from the Archives of the Fabric of St. Peter. Experts like Pietro Zander provide their insights throughout the film. Viewers will also see archival footage of epigrapher Margherita Guarducci.
The title Pétros Ení comes from a Greek inscription. It means “Peter is here.” This was found near the site identified as the apostle’s burial ground. The documentary retraces the history of the excavations. These started under Pope Pius XII during the Second World War. Later, in 1968, Pope Paul VI announced that remains believed to be those of St. Peter had been found.
The film also examines the Constantinian Basilica. It explores how the site grew into a center of Christian devotion over many centuries. The visuals are unique because the producers did not use artificial intelligence to alter any images. This was explicitly stated in the opening credits.
For Chris Pratt, the project was a chance to look at his own faith. Vatican News reports that he had mentioned in an interview that he returned to the Catholic faith about six years ago. He described the Basilica as “a special and sacred place.” The actor said the production is “helping me define my faith.”
Pratt shared his thoughts on the historical figure of St. Peter
Pratt noted that Peter was a human being who faced his own weaknesses. The actor stressed, “What I would like audiences to understand about Peter after watching this documentary is that he was an imperfect man. He was a weak man. He was a human being. And I believe we are all broken, imperfect and weak. But his strength lies in the grace of Jesus and his faith in God. With that strength, through grace and faith, you can be incredibly strong.”
Pope Leo XIV also makes an appearance in the final scenes of the film. He reflects on the life of St. Peter and the significance of his tomb. His involvement comes at a difficult time for the pontiff. Pope Leo is currently recovering after undergoing surgery for lung cancer at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
Doctors recently detected a localized cancerous nodule in his lung. They removed part of the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican reports that his recovery is progressing normally. During the premiere at the Rome Film Festival, the audience gave the Pope a warm round of applause. Dr. Paolo Ruffini, the prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, expressed his hope that the recovery “continues to progress well.”
The documentary highlights what Dr. Ruffini called “the Christian paradox.” This is the idea of a Church built on the leadership of a fisherman who had denied Jesus. The film emphasizes that this leader was forgiven when their eyes met.
The documentary will be released across several countries
Hallow Studios will handle distribution in the United States and Canada. Bosco Films will manage the release in Spain. Cinépolis +Que Cine will bring the film to audiences in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia.
Pratt expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work on this film. “It was an incredible honor to collaborate with Pope Leo and the Vatican on this project,” he said. He added that the story of St. Peter is foundational to his faith. He felt deeply grateful for the access he received during filming.
The documentary serves as a deep dive into the earth. It looks for the humanity of the fisherman from Galilee. It brings the history of the site back to the surface for modern viewers. Viewers can expect to see the work of the sampietrini and the fossori who performed the delicate excavations. Their efforts eventually led to the discovery of the simple box containing the bones of the apostle.
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