Chris Pratt is filming a documentary about the discovery of St. Peter's tomb in the Vatican Necropolis. The documentary is produced by Vatican Media, the Fabric of St Peter, and AF Films. The film will be released in 2026 to coincide with the 400th anniversary of the inauguration and dedication of St. Peter's Basilica. The documentary will explore the history of St. Peter's burial site and the construction of the Basilica. Paula Ortiz is directing the documentary, which is written by Andrea Tornielli.
12 days ago
American actor Chris Pratt is narrating a new documentary focused on the Vatican Necropolis and the tomb of St. Peter, the first pope.1 2
The film explores themes of faith, history, and archaeology, guiding viewers through exclusive footage of the site beneath St. Peter's Basilica.1 3
It highlights the foundational role of St. Peter in Christianity, from his martyrdom in 64 AD to modern discoveries.2 4
The documentary is produced by Vatican Media, the Fabric of St. Peter, and AF Films, with Spanish director Paula Ortiz at the helm.1
It is written by Andrea Tornielli, assisted by archaeologist Pietro Zander, ensuring a blend of narrative and scholarly insight.1
Filming is underway in St. Peter's Basilica and the Necropolis, featuring unique access to restricted areas.1 2
The project is set for release in 2026, coinciding with the 400th anniversary of the current basilica's dedication on November 18, 1626.1 3
Pratt, known for roles in Guardians of the Galaxy and Jurassic World, expressed honor in partnering with Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican.1 2
He stated, “St. Peter’s story is foundational to the Christian faith, and I’m deeply grateful for the trust and access granted.”1 4
Though not Catholic, Pratt attends Mass regularly with his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, a practicing Catholic, and they are raising their children in the faith.2 3
Pratt has publicly discussed his daily prayer routine and collaborated with the Catholic app Hallow on Lent, Advent, and prayer challenges.2 4
St. Peter, a Galilean fisherman entrusted by Jesus to lead the Church, was martyred on Vatican Hill in 64 AD.1
Early Christians revered the site, seeking burial nearby, which evolved into a center of devotion.1 2
Emperor Constantine leveled the hill in the 4th century to build the original basilica, incorporating Peter's tomb while preserving the Necropolis.1 3
The Necropolis contains tombs from the 1st to 4th centuries, located 16 to 39 feet below the current basilica.2 4
In 1939, Pope Pius XII ordered excavations under the basilica to locate Peter's burial site.1 2
The tomb's position was officially announced in 1950 by Pius XII, based on historical and archaeological evidence.1 3
Further analysis in 1968 led Pope Paul VI to confirm the bone fragments as Peter's relics, describing them as “convincing” and “sacrosanct.”1
(Note: Some reports erroneously attribute the 1968 announcement to Pius XII.)2 4
The relics were first publicly venerated in 2013 by Pope Francis during a Mass ending the Year of Faith.2 3
The documentary aims to make Peter's legacy accessible, intertwining his life with the basilica's enduring history.1 4
It underscores the site's role as a pilgrimage hub and symbol of apostolic continuity under Pope Leo XIV.2
By blending celebrity narration with Vatican expertise, the film seeks to engage broader audiences in Christian heritage.1 3
Investigate Vatican’s authority over St. Peter’s burial site
The Vatican's authority over St. Peter's burial site is deeply rooted in the historical and archaeological confirmation of the Apostle Peter's martyrdom and entombment in Rome, specifically on Vatican Hill. Early Christian tradition, supported by papal excavations and scholarly investigations, establishes this location as the sacred resting place of the Prince of the Apostles. In the second century, the presbyter Gaius referred to "trophies" marking the tombs of Peter and Paul, indicating veneration already in place. This site evolved into the Vatican Cemetery, an above-ground burial area where the first popes, from St. Anacletus to Zephyrinus (d. 217), were interred near Peter's body, underscoring the site's primacy in early Roman Christianity. The construction of the original St. Peter's Basilica in the fourth century directly over this cemetery further solidified its centrality, transforming it into a focal point of papal succession and ecclesiastical authority.
Archaeological efforts under Popes Pius XII and Paul VI provided definitive evidence. Excavations from 1940 to 1950 beneath the basilica's altar identified Peter's tomb, with Pius XII announcing in his 1950 Christmas message that "the tomb of St. Peter has been really found," based on meticulous studies. Subsequent research, including analysis of relics, led Paul VI to affirm in 1968 that these remains—identified as those of a robust man of Peter's age—were convincingly Peter's, honoring them as "sacred relics" of the Church's foundation. By 1969, Paul VI highlighted the site's "superlative historicity" and "exceptional monumental sacrality," noting the graffito "Pétros ëni" (Peter is here) on the "red wall" as further proof. In 1976, he reiterated the "incontestable proof" of Peter's presence in Rome, countering earlier scholarly doubts. These papal initiatives demonstrate the Holy See's direct oversight in verifying and preserving the site's authenticity, establishing an unbroken chain of authority from the early Church to the present Vatican.
Catholic canon law reinforces the Vatican's authority by designating such sites as sacred places reserved for divine worship and the burial of the faithful, with special provisions for the Roman Pontiff. Canon 1205 defines sacred places as those dedicated or blessed for burial according to liturgical norms, explicitly including areas like the Vatican Necropolis. The Code of Canon Law permits burial within churches only for the Roman Pontiff, cardinals, or diocesan bishops in their own churches, a privilege that applies preeminently to St. Peter's tomb under the Vatican Basilica. This exception reflects the site's unique status as the heart of the universal Church, where Peter's remains symbolize apostolic succession.
Broader burial norms affirm the Church's right to control its cemeteries. Canon 1240 mandates that the Church maintain its own cemeteries or designated sections in civil ones, blessed for the faithful's interment, prioritizing ecclesiastical administration. Canon 1180 allows individuals to choose their burial site but subordinates this to legitimate Church preferences, ensuring that sites like the Vatican remain under Holy See jurisdiction unless prohibited by law. Historically, the Church has asserted control over Christian burials to separate them from pagan practices, a principle dating to St. Cyprian and St. Hilary, who emphasized exclusive sepulture for the faithful. In the Vatican's case, this extends to the necropolis, where early popes and martyrs were buried, evolving into a controlled sacred space. The Catholic Encyclopedia notes that while secular laws may conflict, the Church waives rights only to avoid greater evils, maintaining inherent authority over such pivotal sites.
The Vatican's practical authority is exercised through the Holy See's administrative structures, particularly during papal transitions and in ongoing preservation efforts. The apostolic constitution Universi Dominici Gregis outlines the Camerlengo's role upon a pope's death: ascertaining the death, sealing papal apartments, notifying key officials, and determining burial arrangements in consultation with the College of Cardinals. For burials in the Vatican Basilica, official documents are prepared by the Basilica's Notary or Canon Archivist, with delegates from the Camerlengo and Papal Household certifying the interment—ensuring the site's integrity under Vatican control. This process highlights the Holy See's custodianship over the basilica and necropolis, where successive popes are laid to rest near Peter, as seen in the tombs of Pius XII, Paul VI, and others in the "Grotte Vecchie" and "Grotte Nuove."
The Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology, under papal auspices, further exemplifies this authority. In 2001, John Paul II praised its work in preserving catacombs and necropolises, noting how early Christians established "common funds" for burials emphasizing equality and charity—principles mirrored in the Vatican's management of St. Peter's site. Restoration projects, such as the 2000 lighting and climate-control system for the necropolis funded by entities like ENEL under Vatican direction, illuminate Peter's tomb for pilgrims, affirming the Holy See's role in safeguarding this "religious heart of Rome." John Paul II's 1995 prayer at the tombs of 20th-century pontiffs near Peter invoked eternal rest for them, reinforcing the site's role in the communion of saints and papal continuity. Paul VI, in 1978, described the basilica as a "monument that recalls the past and challenges the future," urging the faithful to venerate the relics as a foundation of faith.
While the sources present a unified affirmation of the site's location and the Vatican's authority, early 20th-century scholarly debates questioned Peter's Roman presence, which papal archaeology has largely silenced. No significant canonical disputes arise, as the Code of Canon Law prioritizes recent norms, and the Vatican's extraterritorial status under the Lateran Treaty bolsters its sovereignty. However, the Encyclopedia notes tensions with secular laws on burial, though these do not challenge the Holy See's internal governance. The relics' identification, while "convincing" per Paul VI, remains a matter of pious belief rather than dogmatic requirement, allowing for nuanced interpretation without undermining authority.
In summary, the Vatican's authority over St. Peter's burial site is multifaceted: historically verified through papal-led excavations, canonically enshrined as a sacred papal privilege, and administratively upheld through Holy See institutions. This custodianship not only preserves a cornerstone of Catholic identity but invites the faithful to draw spiritual strength from Peter's enduring witness, ensuring the site's role in the Church's mission endures.