David Naglieri is an award winning producer and journalist whose documentary films have been distributed around the world and garnered recognition for their intensity, courageous stands and inspirational story telling.

A proud member of the “JPII” generation David was inspired to work in the field of Catholic media by the papacy of Pope John Paul II and the experience of World Youth Days in Rome and Toronto. David holds a Bachelor’s degree in history from Marist College in New York and a Master’s degree in International Relations and Religion from Boston University. After working for the Holy See Mission to the United Nations, David was introduced to Fr. Thomas Rosica, C.S.B., S&L's head honcho and shortly thereafter arrived at Salt and Light in June 2004.

For more than a year he wrote and anchored in-depth Catholic Analysis and Current Affairs Program. In 2006 he wrote and directed the documentary film Opus Dei: Decoding God’s Work. The film was a response to the lies and distortion of The Da Vinci Code. A critical success, Decoding God’s Work took home the award for “Best TV Documentary” at the Trent Religion Today Film Festival. To date the film has received distribution in more than 20 countries.

In 2007 David created a new investigative series Eye on the Church. The program explored controversial topics such as clergy sex abuse, Radical Islam and politics and faith. In 2008 David wrote and produced two new documentaries. In Road of Hope: The Spiritual Journey of Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan he collaborated with the family of the late cardinal and the Pontifical Council of Justice and Peace in bringing to the big screen the incredible story of this political prisoner and prophet of hope. The film was awarded at the Columbus International Film Festival and has already been translated into French and Vietnamese.

A Hand of Peace: Pope Pius XII and the Holocaust is David’s latest film. Delving into the controversy surrounding Pius XII and his alleged silence during the Nazi Holocaust, the film presents a convincing case that Pius was a courageous leader who secretly saved tens of thousands of Jews from Nazi terror.

A frequent producer of Catholic Focus and host of Zoom when he is not putting in long hours researching his documentaries David can often be found on the gridiron quarterbacking his flag football team.

In David's own words:

"As a child I always wanted to be either a professional football player or an FBI agent. My favourite saints are St. Gianna Beretta Molla and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati. Their authenticity and sheer humanity inspire me to pursue sanctity."

One of the most notable quotes by one of my heroes was spoken right here in Toronto on Sunday, July 28, 2002:
"We are not the sum of our weaknesses and failures; we are the sum of the Father's love for us and our real capacity to become the image of his Son.
     -Pope John Paul II Toronto, Downsview Park

"I am active with Youth for a United World- NGO affiliated with the Focolare Movement that works to build solidarity and unity between young people of different races and religions."

"I love Field of Dreams (I cry every time Kevin Costner asks his dad to play catch), The Godfather Trilogy, Rudy, Braveheart, Gladiator and Last of the Mohicans. I’m a big fan of all kinds of music except heavy metal and gangsta rap."

"I worked for one day as a door to door meat salesman…a traumatic experience that has entered the folklore of Naglieri family history. Fr. Rosica doesn't know about this part of my life."

"The great irony of my life is that I was a super-shy kid who always tried to skip mass so he could play sports grows up to be a super-talkative Catholic TV personality."

"My best advice is to never accept the limitations anybody sets for you…the easiest thing to find in life is someone who doesn’t think you can achieve your dreams. Storm past them with a smile and you will join a long litany of high achievers who grasped the power of prayer, perseverance, and the ultimate secret to success: the realization that God enjoys using the simple to confound the proud."

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