Pope Francis: A Man of His Word

Variety by Andrew Barker

Few popes in living memory have seemed as recognizably human as Francis — for all its access, and for all the inherent empathy of its director, Wenders’ film is never able to completely connect the dots between the man and the figure.

IndieWire by Kate Erbland

The film shows a refreshing interest in his current existence, rather than becoming a by-the-book retread of his pre-pope life.

The A.V. Club by Mike D'Angelo

The film’s appeal, predicated on its rare close-up look at a working Bishop Of Rome, will be limited primarily to the faithful; those hoping for a candid portrait of the man beneath the cassock will be sorely disappointed.

The Guardian by Peter Bradshaw

Access to the great man has clearly been provided with an undertaking not to challenge, not even to ask questions, in the normal interview sense.

Movie Nation by Roger Moore

You don’t feel Francis is challenged on anything here, and as lightly charming and impressive as he and this almost-all-access documentary is, one can only imagine what the great doc-makers — Errol Morris or Werner Herzog or Barbara Koppel — could have done with this.

The Seattle Times by Soren Andersen

The picture is a no warts-and-all look at Francis’ papacy, but rather emphasizes his humanity and humility. Those personal qualities and his words are sources of hope In this politically fraught and fevered age.

The Hollywood Reporter by Stephen Farber

It is a pleasure to watch the present-day Francis interact with people all over the world and articulate his hopes for improving the lot of the poor. The film is humane and unobjectionable, but in the end, it isn’t pointed enough to seize the attention of skeptics in the audience.

TheWrap by Steve Pond

Pope Francis is a healer, not a proselytizer. And Wenders knows enough to stand back and let him say his piece and make his peace.

Screen International by Tim Grierson

More a gloss than an insightful dissection, this documentary frustrates by sticking to the man’s surface, reducing his words to commendable sound-bites rather than deeply exploring them.

San Francisco Chronicle by Walter Addiego

The director is clearly an admirer of Francis (both the saint and the pope), and was able to conduct extensive and exclusive interviews with the pontiff.