Chris Pratt and Pope Leo Explore St. Peter's Tomb in New Film

A new documentary about the archaeological search for St. Peter's remains brings actor Chris Pratt and Pope Leo XIV into the history beneath St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Titled “Pétros Ení: Discovering the Origins,” the film premiered at the Rome Film Festival on October 16, 2026, ahead of the 400th anniversary of the dedication of the present basilica.

Produced by AF Films in collaboration with Vatican Media and the Fabric of St. Peter, the approximately one-hour documentary follows the evidence behind the identification of the apostle's burial place. Pratt narrates the film, which combines archaeological findings, historical documents, archival recordings and previously unseen footage of the Vatican Necropolis.

Spanish filmmaker Paula Ortiz directed the production, while Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of Vatican Media, wrote it. Archaeologist and Vatican Necropolis expert Pietro Zander also contributes specialist knowledge about the underground burial complex.

The film's historical account examines how the area associated with Peter became a place of Christian devotion and eventually the site of a major basilica. According to Catholic tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Nero.

In the fourth century, Emperor Constantine ordered the construction of a basilica over the burial area. The project required changes to the slope of Vatican Hill, while the site associated with Peter's tomb became incorporated into the church.

Archaeological investigations later sought to establish the location of the apostle's burial and determine whether his remains had survived. According to accounts presented in the documentary and reported by America magazine, Pope Pius XII ordered excavations beneath the basilica in 1939, and workers entered the ancient Roman burial complex in 1941.

Although investigators initially identified a possible burial site, they did not immediately find remains they could attribute to Peter. Epigrapher Margherita Guarducci later interpreted an inscription rendered as “Petrus Eni,” meaning “Peter is here,” which helped advance the identification.

Researchers subsequently found a wooden box containing human remains believed to belong to a man in his 60s. The remains were also missing their feet, details discussed in the historical account of the investigation.

Pius XII announced the discovery of the area identified as Peter's burial place in 1950. In 1968, Pope Paul VI announced that researchers had identified remains believed to belong to the apostle, describing them as sacred relics of the Prince of the Apostles. The documentary distinguishes the identification of the burial site from the later attribution of the human remains.

Pratt uses Peter's personal weaknesses as a central theme in explaining the apostle's continuing religious significance. Introducing the documentary at its premiere, the actor emphasized the contrast between Peter's humanity and the strength he found through faith.

“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,” Pratt said.

Raised Catholic, Pratt has also described his personal approach to spirituality as one that often takes him away from religious institutions. He said working inside the Vatican with a camera crew became a deeply personal experience.

“I believe we are all broken, imperfect and weak,” said Pratt. “But (Peter’s) strength lies in the grace of Jesus and his faith in God. With that strength, through grace and faith, you can be incredibly strong.”

Paolo Ruffini, head of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, addressed the contrast between Peter's human failings and his position in the early Church during the film's introduction. Director Ortiz said she hoped the documentary would demonstrate the basilica's role in shaping Christian civilization.

Leo XIV appears in the closing scenes, reflecting on the apostle's legacy and the reason the monumental church stands above his traditional burial place. His participation gives the documentary a contemporary papal perspective on the historical and religious significance of the site.

“When we look at the splendor of St. Peter’s and the colonnade that opens its arms to embrace the world, it is good to remember why this basilica was built right here,” the pope says. “The reason is that this ground is soaked with the blood of the apostle.”

The pope also connects the apostle's legacy with the succession of bishops of Rome, placing his own role within that historical tradition.

“This is how, link by link, that fragile chain of Peter’s successors has reached us,” he says. “And I, too, bishop of Rome, aware of my weakness, repeat the profession of faith of the apostle whom Jesus transformed into a fisher of men: ‘Yes, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

The documentary's release coincides with the 400th anniversary of the dedication of the current St. Peter's Basilica, which took place on November 18, 1626. According to America magazine, the film was released in Spain on October 9, 2026, and wider distribution is expected in early 2027. Hallow plans to make it available in theaters in the United States and Canada and through its app during Lent 2027.