By José Alberto Hermosillo
A profoundly moving, cohesive, and inspirational documentary. “In Viaggio: The Travels of Pope Francis” is an exceptional collection of the Holy Father’s journeys over the past nine years of his papacy. Pope Francis aimed to connect with people and marginalized groups. He bravely faced political turmoil, natural disasters, poverty, war, migration, and many other human tragedies.
Regardless of our faith, we must acknowledge Pope Francis’s efforts to reach the vulnerable, build bridges, and foster reconciliation with other religions, faiths, and world leaders. With honesty, His Holiness asks everyone, “What would humanity do without faith?”
Pope Francis is one of the most progressive popes in history. As a leader of the Catholic Church states, “Never think that your struggles down here are completely useless. And above all, hold on to your dreams. Do not be afraid to dream of a world that cannot be seen yet but will certainly come.”
The documentary begins with a powerful “narrative hook”: a communications tower in Italy transmitting SOS messages to African and Middle Eastern immigrants traveling on a fragile boat in the Mediterranean Sea at night. The tragedy claimed 250 lives. Addressing these urgent issues, the Pope starts his global pilgrimage.
Lampedusa, 2013
Pope Francis prays for the immigrants who found death instead of hope and asks parishioners, “Who cries for those lives lost? We are a society that has forgotten how to weep.”
Brazil, 2013
Upon His Holiness’s arrival in the South American country, on his way from the airport to the city, people in poverty and the army filled the streets. At a radio station, the Pope reached out to the crowds. Later, in the favelas, he met people in need in their small homes. In clear Portuguese, he told them, “You’re not alone.” More importantly, he emphasizes the creation of a culture of solidarity.
The wildfires’ destruction of the Amazon was another disaster, alongside poverty, that happened at the same time.
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| IN VIAGGIO: THE TRAVELS OF POPE FRANCIS, a Magnolia Pictures release. ©Archivo Vatican Media. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. |
Cuba, 2013
From Revolution Square to La Habana Vieja, the Pope, at the cathedral, tells the youth in Spanish, “Open up to the capability of dreaming, and if you do your best, the world will be different.”
USA, 2015
From the White House to addresses to the US Congress, in precise English, Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of dialogue and how money can help, much like Lincoln and Martin Luther King Jr., among others. His speech focuses on climate change, immigration, and poverty.
Then, the Pope calls for time for reflection and mentions that all the responsible people involved in the sexual abuse of minors by the priests and their families would be held accountable.
Chile, 2018
At the women’s, His Holiness refers to their lost dreams, and hopes by adding, “Dig it doesn’t. No one can be deprived of grace and dignity because it generates unworthiness of the human spirit.”
It is essential to note that Chile is a highly educated country, with a high percentage of its population having graduated from college. So, they went out to the streets to protest against the Pope’s visit and for not addressing the acts of rape by church members appropriately. Negligently, the Pope said he needed proof of the abuses. Later, back in Rome, Pope Francis admitted he was wrong.
Philippines, 2015
When Pope Francis decided to travel, it was to listen to the people. Listening makes him feel good, and it helps him make decisions. The decision comes from within, like a ripe fruit, and is a long process. That is why he decided to meet silently with the people of “The Pearl of the Orient Seas.”
Central Africa Republic, 2015
On his tour to Africa, His Holiness asks to stop the violence, vengeance, and hate in the name of religion. In this republic, 50 percent are Protestant, Christian, and Catholic, 35 percent belong to indigenous beliefs, and 15 percent identify as Muslim.
Kenya, 2015
Pope Francis claims that refugees and migration are due to environmental degradation. Therefore, “Man’s lives are lost, and we have no right to let the migrants die in the middle of nowhere,” he said.
Israel, 2014
At the Wailing Wall and the memorial of the Shoah, the Pope prayed for the victims of the Holocaust.
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| IN VIAGGIO: THE TRAVELS OF POPE FRANCIS, a Magnolia Pictures release. ©Archivo Vatican Media. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures. |
Palestine, 2014
He prays for peace at the border wall with Israel. Then, the Pope meets with Orthodox leaders at the Holy Sepulchre in one of the most significant acts of his Pontificate.
Cuba, 2016
The historic meeting with the Russian Orthodox leader ended a thousand years of conflict between the Catholic and Orthodox churches.
Mexico, 2016
At the border town of Ciudad Juárez (where hundreds of women disappeared and were killed near the maquiladoras, also known as “Las Muertas of Juárez”), the Holy Father visited the women’s shelter and comforted those in need of hope. At that place, the Pope said, “Our biggest worries should be the people’s. The insecurity problem is solved by going to the roots of the problem, not incarcerating people.” Then he went to the border wall to pray for immigrants and the humanitarian crisis, a global issue.
Armenia, 2016
The celebration of the centenary of the Metz Yeghérn/The Great Evil and the tragedy of the genocide in Armenia. The Pope’s recognition caused a diplomatic rift between the Vatican and Turkey.
Later, the Pope clarified that, in his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI’s view, it was the recognition of a single genocide. However, he corrected himself by affirming that the Turks had committed those crimes against humanity three times.
United Arab Emirates, 2019
World peace is essential because war often results in poverty and instability.
Madagascar, 2019
At an elementary school where instruction was in French and Italian, Pope Francis addressed the issue of child labor to over 8,000 children and authorities, saying, “Pov “rty is not inevitable.”
Japan, 2019
Footage of the atomic explosion and the thousands of children affected was edited into a montage. Pope Francis stated, “The possession of nuclear weapons is immoral.’ He quoted Saint Francis of Assisi:
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.”
Canada, 2022
In an introductory meeting with survivors, the Pope prayed for the lives lost at the Canadian residential school and for the suffering of thousands of children taken from their parents. Many were abused and killed. Pope Francis asked for forgiveness for the cultural devastation inflicted on indigenous tribes in the name of Jesus on the continent.
Vatican City, 2020
During one of the most challenging moments of his leadership, due to COVID-19 deaths in Italy, Europe, and around the world, Pope Francis prayed alone in an empty Saint Peter’s Square for the end of the pandemic, wars, and injustice.
Space Station, 2020
The crew of the International Space Station felt honored to speak live with the Holy Father about the benefits of working together across borders and creating a peaceful environment for a better future.
(Fifteen months after the pandemic began, flights resumed.)
Iraq, 2022
In front of the country’s leaders and people, the Pope urged Iraq to end military violence and religious conflict.
Malta, 2022
On his most recent trip to the Mediterranean island, his first as Pope, His Holiness said, “Since the day I visited Lampedusa, I have not forgotten you.” He continued, “You are always in my prayers,” and then added, “Every war is born from injustice,” referring to the war in Ukraine.
During his papacy, Pope Francis has made 37 trips to 59 countries.
The award-winning Italian filmmaker Gianfranco Rosi (“Notturno,” “Fire at Sea”) condensed over 800 hours of material into a stunning 80-minute documentary about the Pope’s journey.
In the documentary “Lighthouse: The Travels of Pope Francis,” the Italian filmmaker depicts a pilgrim Pope in motion, confronting the world’s major issues and bringing comfort and unity to those in need everywhere.
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| Gianfranco Rosi and film critic José Alberto Hermosillo. FestivalinLA ©2023 |
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