Knights' Pope Francis documentary to re-air on Sunday

Rome, Italy, Nov 1, 2013 / 15:05 pm

A new documentary on Pope Francis by the Knights of Columbus, entitled "Francis: The Pope from the New World," will re-air this Sunday on the U.S. cable channel CNBC.

"This documentary arrives as the world realizes that a very special man has assumed the leadership of the Catholic Church, and this begins – but does not end – with his gestures of humility and care for everyone," Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight of the Knights of Columbus and an executive producer of the documentary, said Oct. 30.

Anderson said the details of Pope Francis' life are still "largely unknown" to the public, including the ways he has "defended the voiceless and Catholic principles."

"This documentary delves into those stories," he said.

The hour-long documentary begins with the Pope's election on March 13, 2013 and revisits his background in Argentina, where he served as Archbishop of Buenos Aires and as a Jesuit provincial.

Pope Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, is the first Pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit Pope. He has long been an advocate for those struggling economically, including those who lived in the slums of Buenos Aires. He also helped protect those endangered in Argentina's Dirty War.

The documentary includes interviews with the Pope's close friends, his fellow priests, his co-workers, his biographer, and the poor of Buenos Aires. It covers his personal life, including his family relations and his support for the San Lorenzo soccer team.

The documentary, which first aired in mid-October, will re-air on CNBC Nov. 3 at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles has praised the film.

"The whole world is talking about Pope Francis," he said. "All this interest is a sign that millions in our secularized societies are still seeking God – and they're still looking to the Catholic Church to show them the way."

The documentary, he said, "presents a Pope who has a beautiful vision for human happiness and a Pope who is calling the Church to deeper love for Jesus and a new desire to bring our neighbors to God."