A white rose sums up the journey of Pope Francis — from integral ecology to human fraternity, from joy to the heart that holds it all — crowned by the image of Open Doors. Today, we feel a little lonelier without his presence on Earth. But on the day of his funeral, we felt the power of heaven. The force of resurrection was unmistakable. Whether in the square or before a screen, the world paused — touched by the gentle wind that turned the pages of life. Something far beyond human logic was in the air.
The Power of Encounters
Not long after his election, Pope Francis began to stir hearts with his words, homilies, and gestures. We were asked to prepare a proposal for the Holy See Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015. The theme: food. Our idea was simple — inspired by Abraham’s encounter with the three strangers at the Oaks of Mamre. His response to their hunger: a morsel of bread, a sip of water, and these words — “refresh your hearts.” That’s how the photographic Wave on the hunger of humanity was born, along with a video featuring the Church’s threefold response. The Pope was deeply moved — we had brought his thoughts to life. Filming one of those videos in Iraqi Kurdistan, at his personal request, was no easy task. ISIS was only 12 kilometers away. Tension filled the air. We had to flee from Yazidi camps. And yet — in the midst of that fear — the baptism of a child became the living image of those words: “refresh your hearts.”
Filming one of those videos in Iraqi Kurdistan, at his personal request, was no easy task. ISIS was only 12 kilometers away. Tension filled the air. We had to flee from Yazidi camps. And yet — in the midst of that fear — the baptism of a child became the living image of those words: “refresh your hearts.”
Laudato Si’ and Pope Francis’ message to COP in Glasgow, from ecology to the heart
Years later, Emotions to Generate Change was born — a creative lab I co-founded with Marianna Beltrami. Our first project: a photographic reading of Laudato Si’, captured in 40 images by young Bangladeshi photographer Asaf Ud Daula.
The exhibition launched on October 31st, 2021 — introduced by Pope Francis himself at the Angelus: “Let us pray that the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor may be heard… Today, a photographic exhibition Laudato Si’ is being inaugurated in St. Peter’s Square, the work of a young photographer from Bangladesh. Go and see it.” It was his message to COP26 in Glasgow. Integral ecology. A voice for the peripheries. A call to listen.
He had truly understood the urgency of ecological conversion. In his vision of integral ecology, all of humanity was included — with special attention to the fragile. He was the Pope of the vulnerable, of our fragile planet, of our own inner fragilities.
Fratelli Tutti — And Truly, Sorelle Tutte
The impact of Fratelli Tutti is still unfolding. For us, it became real through Women’s Cry, an exhibition created with the World Women’s Observatory, interpreting the encyclical through photography. Women from the world’s margins — their cries and their beauty — were displayed for a month beneath the colonnade of St. Peter’s. Here, too, Pope Francis gave women space and value in the Church. It’s a long road, but one he decisively helped to begin.
One caption from Fratelli Tutti read: “Love shatters the chains that keep us isolated and separate, it builds bridges. Love enables us to create one great family, where all of us can feel at home”.
Soon after, over 2,000 women from UMOFC–WUCWO gathered in the Paul VI Hall. After watching our documentary, In-Visibles, the Pope addressed their hearts. With Francis, women were never looked down on. Too often, power avoids our eyes, pretends not to hear. But not him. When he listened, the world faded away.
“Don’t You Ever Get Tired?” — Brazil’s Favelas Meet the Pope
Perhaps the most moving moment came on May 24, 2023 — the anniversary of Laudato Si’. We were at the General Audience in St. Peter’s Square with 25 young people from the favela of Marcos Moura, in Brazil’s northeast. We had created a show — Laudato Si’ — of dance and capoeira, as a path to ecological conversion and redemption from violence.
The group stood to the side in costume, all between 12 and 28 years old, nervous but full of energy. Pope Francis saw them dancing and called them up — all the way to the steps of the basilica. There, barefoot on the stone, they performed with all their hearts — cutting their feet, yes — but for the first time, feeling seen. For the first time, truly loved. And then came his words: “Don’t you ever get tired? You sing, you dance…”
Their lives were forever changed. In his name, they founded a school of social arts, dance, theatre, and capoeira for transformation: the Afro Aurora Dance Institute.
Pope Francis — From Ecology to the Heart, and the Open Doors
For the Jubilee, the Pope gave us words of hope — to journey, as pilgrims, through open doors. Strong words, which led to the Open Doors events in collaboration with the Dicastery for Communication: art as a force for change, art that opens doors.
Part of Open Doors was the new tour by the Brazilian youth for Earth Day 2025, the gathering of interfaith painters at the Pincian Hill with the Migrantes Foundation, the Sacred. Ecology Within exhibition by Marcello Silvestri, the documentary film Green Lava, the film Baima: The Dance of Life, and the new Open Doors photography exhibition.
The exhibition opens with that powerful image of Pope Francis during the pandemic — when he opened the doors of the world’s hearts to let light in. Alongside it, photographs of doors opening onto wounds — and wonders — of humanity, all immersed in the Sacred Heart of his latest, still little-known, encyclical Laudate Deum.
Communication is Mission
Our final meeting with Pope Francis came on January 25th, at the Jubilee for Communication, where we premiered Green Lava — the story of a young man with muscular dystrophy, a messenger of hope. The Pope struggled to speak, so he entrusted the message to Prefect Paolo Ruffini. Yet he still came to greet each person, one by one. There we were again — with producer Ali Aksu — exchanging glances, few words, but deep ones. “Communication is mission.”
And soon after, came our final earthly farewell — together with the whole world.
