In a truly holy moment, Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus Christ on The Chosen, had the honor of meeting Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, during a general audience in Vatican City on June 25.
The Pope shared the memorable moment on his Instagram, posting a carousel that included a selfie with Roumie. In the photo, Roumie stretches out his arm to hold his iPhone, both men smiling warmly for the camera.
While Pope Leo XIV didn’t specifically tag or mention Roumie in his caption, he shared an inspiring message with the world. He wrote, “Every time we perform an act of faith addressed to Jesus, we grow in our connection with Him, and His grace is bestowed immediately.” The Pope’s message was shared in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, French, and German.
Roumie’s Emotional Reaction to Meeting the Pope
Jonathan Roumie spoke about what meeting Pope Leo XIV meant to him during a press conference on June 24. He said, “The fact that we’re here now, sitting at the Vatican… is a testament to how God wants to continue this mission to bring more people to Jesus.”
He also expressed the deep emotional significance of meeting the first American pope: “When [Pope Leo XIV] was elected, I wept, because I never thought I’d see an American pope in my lifetime,” Roumie shared. He was particularly moved by the idea of communicating with the Pope in their shared native language.
The Chosen’s Journey and Success
Roumie also reflected on the success of The Chosen, which has become a global phenomenon, with nearly 300 million viewers. Roumie recalled how, when the show first started, he didn’t expect it to go anywhere, treating it as a passion project.
“Nobody thought it would go anywhere,” he said, adding, “At first, I saw it as just an opportunity to put this story out there.”
Years later, Roumie now sees The Chosen as a special opportunity. “It’s a chance to spend more time with a character that I love,” he said, “and one that has changed my life and makes me want to be the best version of myself every day.”
The Future of The Chosen
The Chosen, created by Dallas Jenkins, began with its pilot in 2017. The show is currently in its fifth season, with two more seasons planned to complete the story of Jesus’ life, including his crucifixion (season 6) and resurrection (season 7).
Seasons 1 through 5 are available to stream on Prime Video, with fans eagerly awaiting the final two seasons.
