Netflix to release series on pope’s call for alliance of young and old

by CNS · Published December 19, 2020 · Updated December 17, 2020

Pope Francis is interviewed at the Vatican for an upcoming Netflix documentary based on the pope’s book, “Sharing the Wisdom of Time.” The documentary will be available worldwide in 2021 and feature the pope and other people over 70 sharing their life stories and experiences with filmmakers under 30. (CNS photo/Simone Risoluti, Vatican Media)

Netflix has announced that in 2021 it will release a documentary series based on “Sharing the Wisdom of Time,” a book in which Pope Francis called for creating “an alliance between the young and old people” by sharing their stories.

The book, published by Loyola Press in 2018, featured an introduction by Pope Francis, the stories of 30 older people and reflections by a handful of younger people on “What I learned from an elder.”

In the docu-series, Netflix announced Dec. 16 — the day before Pope Francis’ 84th birthday — men and women over 70 from around the world, featured in the book, will share their life stories and experiences with filmmakers under 30 from the same country.

“The series will feature Pope Francis in an exclusive interview, offering a unique point of view that will serve as the common thread throughout the four-episode series,” reported Variety.

The elders chosen for the documentary come from different ethnic groups and religious traditions, according to the Netflix press release, but their stories demonstrate how in every part of the world and in every culture people are concerned with the same issues: “love, struggle, work and dreams.”

The Italian screenwriter, director and producer Simona Ercolani made the series, which will be available on Netflix worldwide, the release said.