Andrea Arcangeli stepped into the shoes of Saint Francis of Assisi for Fox Nation’s docudrama The Saints. The actor shared how his Catholic upbringing and work with Franciscan friars shaped his portrayal of the beloved saint.
Growing up in Italy, Arcangeli was surrounded by images of Saint Francis. Trips to Assisi left a deep spiritual mark. Playing the role felt like honoring a hero he’d admired since childhood. Conservative viewers will appreciate how his personal faith journey mirrors the saint’s commitment to humility and service.
To prepare, Arcangeli spent time with real-life Franciscan friars. They taught him about living in poverty and serving others. By working in soup kitchens and praying with the friars, he learned the value of selflessness. This hands-on approach highlights the importance of traditional mentorship in mastering roles rooted in faith.
The friars emphasized Saint Francis’s dedication to peace and simplicity. Arcangeli adopted these traits, even giving up modern comforts during filming. His performance reflects the conservative ideal of sacrificing worldly pleasures for higher purposes. The series aims to remind audiences of timeless virtues in an era of moral decline.
Saint Francis’s message of caring for the poor and protecting nature resonates today. Arcangeli hopes the show inspires viewers to prioritize community over self-interest. This aligns with conservative calls for local charity and environmental stewardship grounded in responsibility, not government mandates.
The docudrama’s focus on historical saints counters modern trends of rewriting history. By celebrating figures like Saint Francis, it upholds cultural heritage against progressive attempts to erase religious roots. Executive producer Martin Scorsese’s involvement adds prestige, showing faith-based storytelling can be both authentic and high-quality.
Critics might dismiss the series as overly traditional, but its emphasis on redemption and service offers a counter-narrative to today’s divisive politics. Arcangeli’s portrayal underscores that true change starts with individual virtue, not top-down policies—a core conservative principle.
In a world hungry for meaning, The Saints provides a blueprint for living with purpose. Andrea Arcangeli’s journey from devout boy to humble actor reminds us that faith and tradition remain guiding lights in uncertain times.
