Jude Law won critical acclaim for his starring role in the hit TV series The Young Pope, but now his real-life counterpart is getting in on the act – Pope Francis has appeared in a feature film.

The 80-year-old Argentinian pontiff plays himself in the movie, which is called Beyond the Sun.

The producers claim that it is the first time in the history of the Roman Catholic Church that a Pope has agreed to play a cameo role in a film.

The religious-themed movie, in which four young children from different cultures try to follow the teachings of Christ, will be launched at the Cannes Film Festival, which starts on May 17.

Not only is the Pope in the film – he inspired it.

The Holy Father reportedly asked producers to come up with a film aimed at young people that could communicate the message of the Gospels.

“Our excitement and gratitude toward His Holiness, Pope Francis, participating in this film is beyond words,” said Andrea Iervolino, one of the co-founders of AMBI Pictures, the company which made the film. “This is not just a movie for us, it’s a message, and who better to have on your side to deliver an important societal and spiritual message than the Pope. We are honoured and inspired by the level of collaboration from the Vatican.”

The religious-themed film will be a lot less controversial than The Young Pope, in which Jude Law plays the first American pontiff. credit: Gianni Fiorito/Sky

Mr Iervolino, a committed Catholic, said he had been impressed by the Pope’s acting abilities. “He showed himself to be a very special Pope. You can understand why people love him so much,” he told Italy’s Corriere della Sera newspaper.

“The story aims to encourage people to live the word of Jesus, to live a better life, and to make good choices.”

Profits from the venture will be donated to two charities in Argentina that are close to the Pope’s heart - El Alemendro and Los Hogares de Cristo, which help disadvantaged children. Much of the film, described as a family adventure, was shot in Argentina.

The movie promises to be a good deal less controversial than The Young Pope. In the HBO drama, Jude Law plays Lenny Belardo, who becomes the first American Pope at the age of 47.

Elected as Pius XIII, he is a chain-smoking militant conservative with a strong streak of narcissism. The series was created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino, who won an Oscar for his film The Great Beauty or La Grande Bellezza.