In a world where culture and spirituality rarely enter into a deep dialogue, a completely unique project was born. “Aldeas – A New History” is a documentary film by Martin Scorsese and… Pope Francis. This film becomes not only a portrait of the papal ideas. It is also a symbolic testament – the last full interview that the Pope gave before his death.
Scholas Occurrentes – the heart of the film’s idea
The documentary is based on the work of Scholas Occurrentes. Scholas Occurrentes is an international educational network founded by Francis in 2013. Its mission is to create a “culture of encounter”—a space where young people of different races, religions, and cultures can learn, create, and talk together. This approach, based on respect and mutual understanding, permeates the entire film. Scorsese captures not only the words but also the spirit of the pope: his humility, empathy, and wisdom.
The multi-voice of young artists: Italy, Gambia, Indonesia
The film’s central point is the authentic stories told by young filmmakers from different continents – Italy, Indonesia and Gambia – who are participants in the Aldeas Initiative program. Through short films, they share their personal experiences, cultural heritage and social observations. Their voices, juxtaposed with the Pope’s reflections and Scorsese’s artistic sensitivity, become a living expression of the idea of global understanding.
Polish accent: Robert Szustkowski in Gambia
Robert Szustkowski, a Polish philanthropist and ambassador of the 5P Europe Foundation, played a special role in the implementation of the African segment of the film. As the coordinator of activities in Gambia, Szustkowski not only co-created the local implementation of the project. It was he who initiated the pilot program to promote physical health among Gambian youth, supported by the Pope during the International Summit of World Leaders for the Rights of the Child. In his own words: “I remain committed to the vision of a world that respects the dignity, freedom and talents of young people.”
Francis’s last message
The film “Aldeas – A New History” is not without reason referred to as a document of spiritual heritage. In one of his last interviews before his death, Pope Francis called the project “poetic and constructive – one that reaches to the roots of human experience, community, conflict, and the journey through life”. These words give the production extraordinary depth and humanize its message – not as a papal manifesto, but as a shared story about us all.
Scorsese: “We must speak and listen across borders”
For Martin Scorsese, being a part of this project was not only an honor, but also a spiritual experience. As he himself emphasized, “Now more than ever, we need to talk to each other across borders. And one of the best ways to do that is to share stories based on our experiences.” His approach combines cinema with spirituality, not in a didactic way, but in a universal way. This happens through narrative, image, and emotion.