A one-hour special on Pope Leo XIV’s missionary work in Peru is set to premiere May 1 on EWTN, highlighting how his decades of pastoral experience are shaping his papacy.
An April 28 news release from EWTN states that “Pope Leo’s Peru” takes viewers to Chulucanas, a rural outpost where Pope Leo served his first mission, Trujillo, a busy city where he served as a pastor, and the Diocese of Chiclayo, where he served as a bishop.
“Through on-location reporting, interviews, and local testimony,” the release states, “the program traces the impact of his ministry among parish communities and those on the margins and captures the reflections of those that knew him best in those years.”
In the documentary, Jonathan Liedl, an EWTN News correspondent, interviews local Catholics to ask them about their experiences with then-Bishop Robert Prevost.
"The word I heard over and over from Peruvians who had known Pope Leo is that he was 'un amigo' – a friend," Liedl said in the release. "From soup kitchen volunteers to cathedral rectors, former altar servers to fellow bishops, Pope Leo drew close and listened to everyone, leading others more deeply to Christ in the process."
Montse Alvarado, president of EWTN News, said that as the Church approaches the anniversary of Pope Leo’s election on May 8, the documentary helps viewers understand the experiences that he brought to his papacy.
"From his emphasis on the poor to his focus on healing divided communities, it's clear that the good work he began in Peru has carried over to how he now leads us all from Rome,” Alvarado said. “Understanding the Holy Father's heart is the essence of this report."