Pope Francis requested that in this month of March 2025 he was prayed for families in crisis. Fr. Sergio Guzmán, a Jesuit priest and film expert, prepared a list of four family films to deepen the intention of prayer of the Holy Father.
Fr. Sergio Guzmán, SJ, recommends these films to reflect from Ignatian spirituality, the intention of prayer of Pope Francis of March: for families in crisis. pic.twitter.com/BCr2FPCPBb
– Company of Jesus in Mexico (@jesuitas_mexico) March 9, 2025
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The Croods (2013)
This animated film follows the adventures of a prehistoric family that is forced to migrate after a great earthquake destroyed its home. On their journey, they find a person of different ideas that awakens the fascination of all, especially the youngest daughter.
“With a magnificent characters, with good doses of humor and adventure,” Fr. Guzmán points out that the film is in tune with the teachings of Pope Francis. This story of the Croods “can help us turn the family itself with their crisis and earthquakes, with their fears and hopes.”
“Pray with the Pope for families in crisis to find a path of liberation and salvation,” he adds.
We are all good (1990)
This Italo-French co-production is directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, known by films such as Cinema Paradiso (1987) and the man of the stars (1995).
The film follows Matteo Scuro, a temperamental man who, after retiring, decides to visit his five children, who live in different cities in Italy. Fr. Guzmán points out that the film introduces us “in the soul of the characters with everything that is of love and surrender, of loneliness and pain, of illusion and disenchantment.”
During the film, the priest invites you to keep in mind the apostolic exhortation Love happiness of Pope Francis:
“The presence of the Lord lives in the royal and concrete family, with all his sufferings, struggles, joys and everyday attempts. When you live as a family, it is difficult to pretend and lie, we cannot show a mask. ”
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, this film follows the trip of a family that travels long distances to accompany Olive, a seven -year -old girl who dreams of winning a beauty contest.
To fulfill the little girl’s dream, the whole family travels almost 1300 kilometers. During the journey, family tensions come to light, but also “the sincere love of each of the family members,” says Fr. Guzmán.
With this film we can understand the intention of prayer of Pope Francis “so that divided families find in forgiveness the healing of their wounds.”
A space family (2016)
This list also appears a Spanish animated film that tells the story of a 12 -year -old boy, whose astronaut family is separated due to an incident that occurred years ago.
The little Mike embarks on a space trip with his grandfather and his friend Amy which, according to Fr. Guzman, “will help the protagonists to restore communication and love in the family” based on the values that Pope Francis highlights En love with joy: understanding, tolerance, forgiveness and reconciliation.
“We pray with Pope Francis for families in crisis, so that through communication and communion they overcome their difficulties.”
Diego López Colín
I am a graduate of journalism at the Carlos Septién García school with experience of religious institutional communication. Since 2016 I write for digital media and, since 2018, I report the most important news about the Catholic event in Mexico for the Ewtn news channel. ACI Press correspondent in Mexico since 2023.