Wim Wenders is an idiosyncratic filmmaker, but his approach here is utterly conventional, as well as highly admiring of his subject. Pope Francis is primarily comprised of two sections. One features archival footage of Francis interacting with crowds at various locales—prisons, homeless shelters, refugee camps, hospitals—during his global travels, often washing the feet of prisoners and patients in a gesture of humility (only one clip shows him prior to his papacy—as archbishop of Buenos Aires encouraging a crowd to share signs of friendship). The other major element is a Q&A session between the pope and Wenders, with Francis replying directly to the camera. Wenders fails to press Francis on uncomfortable issues such as clerical abuse, women’s role in the church, and gay rights, but Francis’s responses to other queries underscore that he is fundamentally a pastoral pope, one not given to using theologically intricate formulations but rather simple (some might say simplistic) language to emphasize his desire for the Church to serve the poor, marginalized, and dispossessed. Francis also speaks eloquently of the obligation to preserve the planet, arguing that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world. Wenders also adds newly-filmed scenes from the life of St. Francis of Assisi, who the pope has adopted as his model. A well-drawn if incomplete portrait of Pope Francis that will inspire millions of the pontiff’s admirers, whether Catholic or not, this is recommended. (F. Swietek)
Pope Francis: A Man of His Word
Universal, 95 min., PG, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray: $34.99, Dec. 4 Volume 34, Issue 1
Pope Francis: A Man of His Word
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