Lessons from Pope Francis

“Papa Francisco: The Pope Francis Story in cinemas Sept. 30 from Pioneer Films,” the sign read everywhere in the Philippines and most possibly even outside the country.

We were watching the life story of Pope Francis, the Roman Catholic Church’s 266th Pope who was chosen in March of 2013. The film is based on the book Pope Francis: Life and Revolution by acclaimed journalist Elisabetta Piqué, who happens to be a close friend of the Pope.

Elisabetta gives an intimate, in-depth portrait of Pope Francis, which was drawn from interviews with over 75 individuals as well as her relationship with the Pope as a close family friend. The book’s film adaptation tells of Pope Francis’ early life and his path to the papacy, including his decision at the age of 20 to train as a priest against the wishes of his mother.             

The film shares the Pope’s battles against prostitution, drug trafficking and slave labor as he stood against the powerful against all odds. Since Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope Francis in 2013, countless books have been written to help the world understand this deeply complex yet simple servant of God. What sets Pope Francis: Life and Revolution apart from all other biographies is that it was written by an internationally-respected journalist who has remained close to the Pope since first meeting him back in 2001.

A new actor will play the former Buenos Aires archbishop Jorge Bergoglio. The actor and the film’s producer and director met with the Pope prior to the film’s production. “We hope this film will transmit the admiration all of us feel for the coherence of a life based on austerity and charity, that will inspire people,” said director Docampo Feijoo, who also wrote the script for the film.

How did the story go, based on the shortened version we watched? It is set in a seminary where a girl meets a young man who wants to become a pope. She feels sorry for herself since she knew he would have been very easy to love. In the next sequence, we find him aboard a train. Opposite him is a young lady with whom he starts a conversation. Immediately, the lady introduces herself as reporter Elisabetta Piqué who has recognized Pope Francis as he was already well known far and wide.

Later, Elisabetta, who is now comfortable with the Pope, confesses that she was an agnostic. Pope Francis has this effect on people. They would trust him with their lives and know that whatever wrong they had done would be understood, but not accepted as right.

Their friendship continues until one day Pope Francis finds Elisabetta in tears. She states that she has broken up with her lover since he wanted her to do something bad. Automatically Pope Francis knows what “something bad” meant and comforts Elisabetta with the words that meant, “Your child will grow up healthy and beautiful like her mother.”

Pope Francis does not mince words. He describes situations as they are. An example would be the Pope describing Buenos Aires, from where he is, as evil. He has done things that others would dub as foolhardy like go to places where sick people are housed so they wouldn’t infest anyone with their illness.

But just as Pope Francis is loved by many people, so is he hated by just as many. Everyone goes to him for advice. A woman tells him that corruption can’t be destroyed. The mother of the agnostic girl dies and asks the Pope to bless the ashes. He also blesses a girl who has had an abortion.

In this manner, it appears that Pope Francis is setting an example of how life should be lived.  

Silvia Abascal and the new actor playing the young Jorge Bergoglio in a scene from the movie

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