In 2017, Dr. Paul Kengor published an acclaimed bestseller, “A Pope and a President.”
The book told the story of the deep and pivotal bond between Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan. Both men survived assassination attempts just six weeks apart in 1981. They also both believed they were spared in order to defeat communism and live out a divine plan.
More than 40,000 copies of the book are in print. Now, Dr. Kengor has teamed up with writer and director Robert Orlando (whose credits include “Moment in Time,” “Apostle Paul,” and “Silence Patton”) to dive deeper into this incredible partnership between a pope and a president that ended the Cold War.
Tonight, November 6th, “The Divine Plan” hits movie theaters across the United States for one evening only.
Part graphic thriller, part documentary, this film reveals a story that involves assassination attempts, KGB schemes, CIA intrigue and the final act that toppled the Soviet Empire.
For eighty minutes, Robert Orlando weaves a tapestry of historians’ accounts, personal biographies of the two leaders, memories of collaborators and friends, and original film footage to create a powerful and persuasive vision of the friendship between President Reagan and Pope John Paul II.
More than a dozen historians, scholars, journalists, and church officials assisted in the project, including: Douglas Brinkley, H.W. Brands, Anne Applebaum, John O’Sullivan, and Craig Shirley; the leading biographer of John Paul II, George Weigel; close Reagan adviser Richard V. Allen; and Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron.
Another aspect of the film is the combination of various art forms. Interviews and original film footage of historic events intertwine with animated portions of the film.
For showing times and locations, explore the film’s website.