New Doc Explores the Changing Church and Its New Pope

Janson Media today announced the release of the feature-length (1 x 72') documentary film The Francis Effect to worldwide television, VOD, DVD and digital markets. Produced by Salt and Light Television of Toronto, the film takes a critical and in-depth look at how one man has quickly changed the face of Catholicism at a moment when no one really expected it.

Pope Benedict XVI"s announcement that he would be the first pope to resign in more than seven hundreds years sent shockwaves through the Catholic Church and raised serious questions about its future direction. One month later, after only five ballots, the Cardinals elected the serene and unassuming Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Archbishop of Buenos Aires as the 266th pope. The newest 'Bishop of Rome&' would take the name Francis, and from the moment he appeared on the balcony of St. Peter"s Basilica, he won the hearts of the people. With characteristic humility, simplicity and closeness to the poor, he has initiated a fundamental reform of the Vatican"s government, challenged a &'globalization of indifference,&' and became the most talked about person in the world. A long list of interviewees includes Scott Pelley of CBS News, Diane Sawyer of ABC News, Cardinal Sean O"Malley, Archbishop of Boston, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington, and Fr. Matt Malone, SJ and Fr. James Martin, SJ both of America Magazine.

The Francis Effect is also available as a one-hour (52') television special. The special will air on the ABC Network in the USA, on close to 250 ABC affiliates beginning on in February, 2015. The DVD can be purchased on Amazon.com, or wherever DVDs are sold. The film is also available to Amazon Prime subscribers.

Philip Pullella of Reuters called The Francis Effect &'A masterfully forward-looking panorama of where Francis wants to take the church.&'

Visit the The Francis Effect webpage in the Janson Media Rights Portfolio for more information.

To watch The Francis Effect in its entirety in the Janson Media Screening Room, login or register here.