Pope Francis to make movie debut playing himself in children's gospel film

The pope will be the first pontiff to appear in a feature film – though Vatican forewarns ‘he is not an actor’

Pope Francis, the head of the global Catholic church, is to be the first pope to appear in a film. The pontiff will play himself in Beyond the Sun, an Italian-made family movie based on the gospels, which was inspired by the Pope’s call for film-makers to cater for children when thinking about how Jesus’s message should be communicated through cinema.

All profits from the film are to be donated to two Argentinian charities that help at-risk children and young adults. Shooting is due to begin imminently in Italy.

Our excitement and gratitude toward His Holiness, Pope Francis, participating in this film is beyond words. This is not just a movie for us, it’s a message, and who better to have on your side to deliver an important societal and spiritual message than the Pope?

Related: Philomena Lee on meeting the Pope: 'Those nuns would be jealous now'

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