A feature film in which Pope Francis meets and converses with a group of young people is set to release on Hulu on April 5, 2023. Titled The Pope Answers, the film will feature 10 young adults between the ages of 20 and 25, each of whom has a different background, life experiences, and opinions on the Catholic faith. It features all Spanish-speakers, with subtitles in English.
Shot in Rome, the special will focus on the meeting between the Pontiff and the young people, but it will also include beautiful cinematography of their journeys to the Holy City.
According to Hulu, the group of young adults had a chance to ask the Pope anything, and they didn’t pull any punches. The group reportedly asks questions on the subjects of feminism, the role of women in the Church, reproductive rights, the loss of faith, the migration crisis, LGBT rights, abuse within the Church, racism, and mental health.
Pope Francis, as can be seen in the preview, is very open with his answers, leading to a dynamic and often intense conversation. Some of the questions asked in the preview are almost silly -- things like “Do you get a paycheck?” and “Do you have a cell phone?” -- but the discussions turn a bit deeper when the young people ask more serious questions, like those about abortion and clerical abuse.
While we’ll have to wait for the film to release to hear the responses of Pope Francis to these questions, the Pontiff seemed glad to have the chance to meet and speak with these young people. At the conclusion of the preview he told the group:
“I learned a lot from you. I thank you for the good you have done to me,” Pope Francis said.
Filmmakers Jordi Évole and Marius Sánchez commented on the work:
“[It was] a unique opportunity to bring together two worlds that normally don’t touch, to see one of the most influential people in the world have a dialogue with a group of young adults whose lives sometimes clash head-on with the postulates of the Church. And it has been a great act of generosity, both on the part of Pope Francis and on the part of the 10 young adults.”
The Pope Answers is scheduled to air on April 5, which is Holy Thursday. Those watching in the US can stream it on Hulu, while those in the UK and Ireland can view the film on Disney+. Visit Hulu to learn more.
