Luchetti has said that he aimed to avoid hagiography in the film, though it presents a generally positive portrayal of the pope.

[1] Monsignor Guillermo Karcher, a close associate of the pope, later stated that the movie was "truthful".

[8] Writer Evangelina Himitian has claimed that the film is an illegal adaptation of her book Francis, the People's Pope (Francisco, el Papa de la gente).

[9] The film premiered on 1 December 2015 in the Paul VI Audience Hall, which lies across the border of Vatican City and Rome.

[1] The Office of Papal Charities determined the guest list, and all of the 7,000 tickets were distributed to the poor—including refugees and homeless people—and volunteers who serve them.

[1] Pier Silvio Berlusconi, Maria Elena Boschi, Gianni Letta, and other Italian personalities attended the film's official presentation at Rome's The Space theater.