Fremantle Announces Documentary with the Vatican

In partnership with the Vatican, Fremantle has announced a new documentary titled The Life of St Peter, presented by Roberto Benigni, which will premiere on December 10 on Rai 1.

“Producing this TV event has been an extraordinary privilege—from collaborating with Roberto Benigni, whose warmth and artistry elevate every moment, to partnering with the Vatican during such a momentous Jubilee year,” said Simona Ercolani, CEO at Stand By Me, producer of the series. “Together, we’ve created a deeply human portrait of Saint Peter that feels both timeless and moving.”

The feature-length prime-time television event will examine the life and legacy of Saint Peter—one of the most influential figures in Christian history.

The Life of St Peter was filmed on location in the Vatican and Rome. With rare access to key religious and archaeological sites, Benigni visits St. Peter’s Dome, the Basilica itself, the Vatican Necropolis and its grottos and gardens.

“At Fremantle, we’re proud to bring this remarkable story to audiences worldwide,” said Mark Reynolds, Fremantle’s head of global documentaries and factual. “The Life of St Peter is a powerful exploration of faith, history and humanity—captured with rare access to one of the most sacred places on Earth and illuminated by Benigni’s unique storytelling.”

“While I was preparing this work about Peter, I fell in love… I completely fell in love with Peter,” said Benigni. “As I was reading his story, I kept thinking, ‘But that’s me! I would have done the same!’ How fond I’ve grown of him, because Peter is just like us and resembles us so deeply. His humanity is the humanity of us all: he gets angry, acts on impulse, makes mistakes, misunderstands, cries, laughs, falls asleep, suffers, rejoices and lets himself be moved—just like we do! He was given the greatest task ever entrusted to a human being, to open or close the gates of Heaven. Incredible!”