- Chris Pratt, the renowned American actor, is currently filming a documentary about the tomb of St. Peter located in the Vatican Necropolis beneath St. Peter’s Basilica, a significant historical and archaeological site dating back to the first to fourth centuries A.D.
- The documentary, a collaboration between Vatican Media, the Fabric of St. Peter, and AF Films, is slated for release in 2026 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the inauguration and dedication of St. Peter’s Basilica, with Pratt guiding viewers through the historical and faith-based journey of discovering St. Peter’s burial place.
- Pratt expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity, stating that it is an “extraordinary honor to partner with Pope Leo and the Vatican on this project” and that St. Peter’s story is foundational to the Christian faith, emphasizing his commitment to bringing this legacy to the screen, despite not being Catholic himself but regularly attending Mass with his Catholic wife.
- The film will delve into the historical evidence and archaeological discoveries surrounding St. Peter’s burial, specifically highlighting Pope Pius XII’s 1950 announcement of finding the tomb and bone fragments believed to belong to the saint, following excavations that began in 1939.
- Further confirmation came in 1968 when Pope Paul VI stated that the bone fragments were “convincingly” identified as St. Peter’s, and these relics were publicly displayed for the first time by Pope Francis in 2013 during a Mass in St. Peter’s Square, marking the end of the Church’s Year of Faith, underscoring the profound significance of these findings to the Christian world.
Christ Pratt to release documentary on tomb of St. Peter
