https://www.newsweek.com/sound-freedom-pope-francis-movie-1823040
Pope Francis played a special role in ensuring Sound of Freedom made it to the silver screen, the movie's producer has told Newsweek in an exclusive interview.
The film, about former Homeland Security agent turned anti-child sex trafficking champion Tim Ballard, is the 10th highest grossing in the United States so far this year, surprising everyone with its success. But it sat in limbo for years after filming wrapped in 2018, with producers never knowing if it would see the light of day.
Sound of Freedom producer Eduardo Verástegui began developing the project with writer/director Alejandro Monteverde in 2015. Soon after, Verástegui got to meet Pope Francis and made sure he took his chance to tell him about it.
""I had a private audience with Pope Francis and I told him, 'Holy Father we are about to start this project called the Sound of Freedom movie, it's about raising awareness, which is the first step to eradicate child trafficking,'" Verástegui said. The producer then asked the pope: "Will you please pray for the people?"
The head of the Catholic Church was apparently happy to oblige, and according to Verástegui said, "This is something very important and it's very close to my heart, and I will pray in a special way for this project."
Well known in his native Mexico as an actor and producer, Verástegui spoke to Newsweek from Rome, where he had just completed his annual private meeting with Pope Francis.
"I told Pope Francis this morning that, 'After working for eight years, the movie came out on July 4 and became the number one movie in America. Thank you for your prayers,'" Verástegui said. "He was very happy to hear about the success of the film and was very happy to hear that this movie is saving lives already, that it's raising awareness worldwide."
Verástegui also gave Pope Francis his own copy of the film to watch in his native Spanish language, and the pontiff promised to view it."
Here are the parts of the article where it mentions what Francis said about the film.