Pope Francis: the movie that explains the man

In 2019, a surprising movie detailed the complex character of Pope Francis

The death of Pope Francis will doubtless be a landmark in Catholicism – and society at large. He was clearly a brave choice for the church: the first non-European pope since Pope Gregory III (born in what is now Syria) in AD 73, the first from a non-first-world country (Argentina) and a Jesuit.

Yet his reign was unusual in another aspect: he succeeded Austria’s controversial Pope Benedict XVI, who had chosen to retire in 2013 whereas most popes reigned until they died. Benedict’s abdication was in itself surprising, and also led to an even more unusual situation with two living popes residing in the Vatican.

The Two Popes

The confrontation between the two very different men was the subject of a highly-rated movie, “The Two Popes” in 2019. Directed by Fernando Meirelles and written by Anthony McCarten, it covers the discussions between them as Pope Benedict gently nudges the future Pope Francis to accept his nomination as the next pope.

The film covers the issues of faith, destiny and the politics of the Vatican, portrayed by actors Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce (as Francis). It is also notable for its handling of Franci’s early years in Argentina, and his positions in relation to the brutal Argentinian junta of the time – which nearly derailed his papacy.

The Vatican in movies

Praised at the time of its release, “The Two Popes” remains an intelligent and highly watchable look at the inner workings at the head of the Catholic church.

Other notable movies concerning the Vatican include:

• “Conclave” (2024),
• “The Shoes of the Fishermen” (1968),
• “Karol: A Man Who Became Pope” and
• “Habemus Papam/We Have a Pope” (2011).

A movie about his life was already in production at the time of his death.

(Michael Leahy. Photo: Barbara Provenzano / Unsplash)