The Two Popes

Anthony Hopkins, Jonathan Pryce

"Inspired by True Events"

NETFLIX

As a now practicing Catholic, I say 'practicing' because it was in 2008, the year I got married that I truly became a Catholic in every sense of the word. But this post is not about my Catholicism, it is about a heartwarming movie. "The Two Popes" captures an imagined yet intimate scenario between two very different Cardinals who are tasked with the daunting job of steering the Catholic Church of 1.2 billion people into these 'modern' times. 

It starts in 2005 when Pope John Paul II dies, and Cardinals from all over the world are summoned to Rome to elect a new Pope. German Cardinal Ratzinger is elected and now known as Pope Benedict XVI, while Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina came in second. Then in 2012, the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict is besieged with numerous issues (Vatican Bank bankruptcy, priests embroiled in scandals, close aide of the Pope releasing a book revealing Vatican State secrets) which rock the very fabric of the religious institution. 

Meanwhile, Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) wants to retire and is summoned to Rome. At the papal summer house located in the beautiful Italian countryside, the two start an introspection. They clash over their differing preaching styles, and intently discuss opposing views about what should be the priorities of  the Church. In the process, they both realize, they are just human and are susceptible to misgivings, and shortcomings. Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) keeps ignoring Cardinal Bergoglio's request letter to retire, as we shortly find out, he has his own plan of leaving the papacy. Much to the chagrin of Cardinal Bergoglio, who must now be the one to convince the Pope to reconsider his shocking plan.

The Vatican scenes were shot in the studio, replicating the breathtaking Sistine Chapel as the backdrop for the election of a new Pope. One of the highlights is a visually stunning sequence showing the procedure of counting the votes cast by the Cardinals, then adding something to the burning votes so it can emit either a black or white smoke from the chimney. The color of the smoke signifies whether, we, Catholics have a new Pope or not.

Another highlight is the excellent casting of Hopkins and Pryce. Both veteran actors in their elements, playing off each other. Brilliant portrayal of opposing yet equally formidable figures each setting their unique mark as head of the Catholic Church. 

In some parts, it is a biography of Cardinal Bergoglio through flashback scenes, some in black and white, in his native Argentina. How he even had a girlfriend before becoming a priest, how he answered his priesthood calling, his guilt in not condoning the brutalities under a ruthless military regime. His style of preaching among the impoverished masses, preferring to bike to be more accessible to his flock, shunning the trappings of a Cardinal - a very down to earth cleric.

Yet there are no flashback scenes depicting Pope Benedict's past. But it is well known that he is a radically conservative, traditional priest/Cardinal who would spend hours reading dogmas, encyclicals and doctrines. In fact, he introduced several changes in some of the prayers we recite during the Holy Eucharist or the Mass and it is still in effect, today. Pope Benedict's 'retirement' was a very big, drastically shocking move but watching this movie made me better understand his painfully valid and difficult reason to 'quit' the papacy. 

Thus, we do have two Popes now and Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles (The Constant Gardener, City of God) does a great job in humanizing these two leaders of the Catholic Church. And as a Catholic, I am 100 percent confident in Pope Francis' ability to lead his flock in the right direction.  Amen.