Chris Pratt Joins Pope Leo for a Rare Look Inside St. Peter’s Tomb in New Vatican Documentary

Chris Pratt is best known for battling dinosaurs in ‘Jurassic World’ and saving the galaxy in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. His latest project, however, takes him somewhere far more ancient: deep beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

The actor has been open about his faith over the years. He has said he was baptized in a Catholic church and has believed in God since childhood, and he and his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, a practicing Catholic, attend Mass and are raising their children in the faith.

Now Pratt is fronting a new Vatican documentary about St. Peter’s Tomb, and he’s sharing the screen with Pope Leo XIV. Variety exclusively debuted the first trailer for ‘Pétros Ení: Discovering the Origins’, which follows Pratt as he guides viewers through the depths of the basilica.

For Pratt, the project carries deep personal meaning. “It was an incredible honor to collaborate with Pope Leo and the Vatican on this project,” he told Variety. He also spoke about the significance of the story. “The story of St. Peter is foundational to the Christian faith, and I am deeply grateful for the trust and access I was given to bring his legacy to the screen,” Pratt said.

Pratt filmed in Rome in December 2025 and met Pope Leo during the visit. In an essay for Maria Shriver’s ‘The Sunday Paper’, he later described the trip as a profound experience, including encountering what he believed were the bones of one of Jesus’ disciples.

Pope Leo XIV appears in the documentary’s final scenes. According to Vatican News, he reflects on the figure of Peter and explains why his tomb lies beneath the church. His participation adds a rare level of access to the film. The documentary has been promoted as the first time the tomb has been captured on camera this way, featuring images never filmed before.

Pope Leo for the teaser of ‘Pétros Ení’ documentary 🎥vaticannewsit https://t.co/XZLAx6NatU

— janeyyyy✨️🫶🏻 (@janey0406) October 16, 2026

The film was shot inside St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Necropolis, a burial ground with tombs dating from the 1st to 4th centuries. It traces Peter’s story from his life as a fisherman in Galilee to his martyrdom in Rome on the Vatican Hill.

The documentary explores how early Christians wanted to be buried near Peter’s tomb. It also covers how Emperor Constantine had part of the Vatican Hill leveled to build the first great basilica around the burial site.

Drawing on historical accounts and archaeological discoveries, the film works toward identifying Peter’s burial place. That history includes excavations announced by Pope Pius XII in 1950 and Pope Paul VI’s 1968 announcement that St. Peter’s bones had been identified in a way he found convincing.

‘Pétros Ení’ is directed by Spanish filmmaker Paula Ortiz and written by Andrea Tornielli. Archaeologist Pietro Zander, described as the leading expert on the Vatican Necropolis, served as a consultant.

The documentary was produced by AF Films, led by Frank Ariza and Manu Vega, in collaboration with Vatican Media and the Fabbrica di San Pietro, the institution that oversees the basilica’s upkeep.

The project marks the 400th anniversary of the consecration of St. Peter’s Basilica, which falls on November 18, 2026. That milestone gives the film added significance for Catholics around the world.

It premiered with a special screening at the Rome Film Festival on October 16, launching its global release. Details about wider distribution, broadcast, or streaming haven’t been announced yet.

The documentary marks an unusual turn for an actor more associated with blockbusters. Pratt has also appeared in prayer challenges for the Hallow app, showing his growing involvement in faith-based projects.

With a papal appearance and rare access to one of Christianity’s most important sites, ‘Pétros Ení’ is likely to draw strong interest from both Pratt’s fans and audiences interested in history and faith.

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