‘Lead, Kindly Light’: New documentary on St. John Henry Newman premieres in Rome

A new documentary about the life of St. John Henry Newman has premiered in Rome.

The film “Lead Kindly Light: The Story of Saint John Henry Newman” premiered at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome on Oct. 9, marking the first celebration of his feast day since Pope Leo XIV declared him the 38th doctor of the Church in 2025.

The movie, produced by Lumine Studios in Brazil, features places significant to Newman’s life, including his childhood home in London, the University of Oxford, and Rome, where he studied for the Catholic priesthood after converting from Anglicanism.

The movie is available in English on the Catholic media website Formed .

‘A story of conversion and great personal sacrifice’ Father Hermann Geissler, FSO, director of the International Centre of Newman Friends in Rome, described the movie as a demonstration of faith and the significant personal sacrifices that would mark Newman’s life.

Father Hermann Geissler delivers remarks at the premiere of the film “Lead Kindly Light: The Story of Saint John Henry Newman,” at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome on Oct. 9, 2026. | Credit: Photo courtesy of Sister Christiane Fritsch,…