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The South African
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The South African
Scandal and spirituality: Five screen dramas bring the Vatican to life
The Vatican is associated with many things. The home of the Catholic Church, it is a profoundly spiritual place. But the popes and cardinals who have ruled the Church also wield enormous power. These five TV shows and movies dramatise both the corruption and the spirituality. The Two Popes came out in 2019. It's a fictionalised account of the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (who would become Pope Francis) leading up to Benedict's resignation and Bergoglio's election. This critically acclaimed film is a must-watch as the Vatican prepares to bury the much-loved Pope Francis. Anthony Hopkins plays Pope Benedict XVI, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. Meanwhile, Jonathan Pryce is Pope Francis. The film also received an Academy Award Nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. The Borgias were a powerful family in Renaissance Europe. In this TV show, Rodrigo Borgia assumes the papacy. But his motivations aren't so much spiritual as they are material…A spicy look into one of the Vatican's most scandalous periods. This series was released between 2011 and 2013. Jeremy Irons stars as Pope Rodrigo Borgia, gaining a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Series – Drama. Holliday Grainger is Lucrezia Borgia and François Arnaud plays Cesare Borgia. Another much-acclaimed look inside the Vatican, Conclave came out in 2023. Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Dermot Mulroney lead the cast. Set during a papal conclave, a diverse group of cardinals must decide on the next pope while facing personal conflicts, church politics, and a looming crisis within the Catholic Church. This is a fascinating fictional portrayal of the intriguing process that will soon take place to decide Pope Francis's successor. The Young Pope , released in 2016, is a provocative and often controversial ten-part drama series. The fictional Pope Pius XIII has a strange reluctance to engage with both his cardinals and the millions of faithful around the world… It's not biographical, centred around the first American pope who must navigate the complexities of faith, politics, and power within the Vatican while grappling with his own personal demons. Jude Law (Pope Pius XIII), Diane Keaton (Sister Mary) and Silvio Orlando (Cardinal Voiello) lead the cast. Law won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a TV Series – Drama. Another recent movie exploring the dark side of the Vatican, The Pope's Exorcist came out in 2023. It is based on a true story. Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe), the Vatican's chief exorcist, is battling against a powerful demonic possession. At the same time, Amorth is uncovering dark secrets about the Church. It's set in 1987. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
Straits Times
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Streaming viewership for Conclave and Two Popes soars after Pope Francis' death
Streaming viewership for Conclave and Two Popes soars after Pope Francis' death Interest in Conclave (2024) and The Two Popes (2019) – two Vatican-themed films – has spiked in the United States following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at age 88. Figures from Luminate, which tracks streaming data, show that the viewership of Conclave jumped 283 per cent on April 21, after news of Pope Francis' death. Streaming viewership for Conclave reached 6.9 million minutes by the end of April 21, compared with about 1.8 million minutes on April 20, according to Luminate. Conclave, based on the 2016 novel of the same name by British writer Robert Harris, tells the story of the intrigue and horse-trading behind the scenes during the election of a new pope following the death of the previous pontiff. The film was directed by Germany-born film-maker Edward Berger and starred actors such as Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. Conclave opened in Singapore cinemas on Jan 2 and is still showing here. It was feted during awards season in February when Pope Francis was in critical condition with double pneumonia. It won four prizes, including for Best Film and Best Adapted Screenplay, at the Bafta Awards. The film received eight nominations at the Academy Awards in March, including for Best Picture; Best Actor for Fiennes, 62; and Best Supporting Actress for Rossellini, 72. It won for Best Adapted Screenplay. The Two Popes starred Anthony Hopkins (left) and Jonathan Pryce. PHOTO: NETFLIX Meanwhile, according to Luminate, The Two Popes reported a 417 per cent leap in viewership on April 21, with the film logging 290,000 viewership minutes on April 20 and 1.5 million minutes the next day. The biographical drama film was an account of the 2013 transfer of power from Pope Benedict to Pope Francis, in the first voluntary resignation of a pontiff in more than 700 years. The Two Popes, directed by Brazilian film-maker Fernando Meirelles, starred Welsh actors Anthony Hopkins, 87, as Pope Benedict and Jonathan Pryce, 77, as Pope Francis. It received three nominations at the Academy Awards in 2020: Best Actor for Pryce, Best Supporting Actor for Hopkins and Best Adapted Screenplay. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
NZ Herald
22-04-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
What Pope Francis' death means for the future of the Catholic Church
He was notable for his more liberal and open-minded views on Christianity. In 2013, when asked whether a gay person could become a priest, he famously replied, 'Who am I to judge?'. In 2023, he formally signed off on allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. Earlier this year, he said, 'Being homosexual isn't a crime'. While he did refer to it as a 'sin', gay rights advocates saw his wider comments as a milestone. Bishop Michael Dooley, the Bishop of Dunedin, told The Front Page Pope Francis was not going against any teachings of the church when he said this. 'What he was doing was saying to the church and to all of us, we need to respect and acknowledge each other as human beings. So he was speaking to those responses to people, especially from [that] community that has been discriminated against and abused in different ways, that this must not happen. 'He was very much a Pope who expressed and put forward the importance of each of us being made in the image of God. It was a strong message, but it wasn't something that was against church teaching. He was just reiterating the importance of respecting each other,' he said. Pope Francis never shied away from commenting on world politics. In February, he criticised US President Donald Trump's administration for its deportation policies and urged Catholics to reject anti-immigrant narratives. Commentary about Pope Francis' values and support of all people regardless of race or sexuality points towards a papacy that perhaps made religion more palatable for the entirety of society. 'There is definitely that element of that and I think he, let's say, preached the gospel and the values but also did live them out in his everyday life,' Dooley said, 'I think it was very important what he did and I'm sure that it will influence the next successor.' Recent films depicting what it's like behind the scenes of the Catholic church have captivated audiences. The Two Popes chronicled the relationship between Francis and Pope Benedict around the time the papacy was transferred from one to the other. More recently, Conclave was nominated for several Academy Awards. The film depicts the ancient process of choosing the next Pope – something that's developed over almost two millennia. It's believed to be the oldest historical method of electing a head of state. 'After Pope Francis' funeral, the cardinals of the church will be summoned to Rome. Those who are under 80 years old are eligible to vote ... They will gather in Rome together and meet in the conclave and vote on a new Pope. It often takes a few days to sort out who the candidates are,' Dooley said. A majority of two-thirds of the gathering is needed to agree on a new Pope. There are 252 cardinals, of whom 135 are eligible to vote in the papal conclave. Seventy-six-year-old New Zealand Cardinal John Dew will be among them, despite retiring as Archbishop of Wellington in 2023. He was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2015. Another cardinal close to home is Cardinal Mykola Bychok, Australia's highest-ranking Catholic official. He's the world's youngest cardinal, having been made one by Pope Francis in December last year at 45 years old. Of the front-runners to take over the papacy, the youngest name thrown into the ring is in their late 60s. Dooley told The Front Page cardinals are generally reluctant to elect someone too young, 'because then usually you're stuck with that Pope until they die'. 'It can be a long time. So the advantage of having an older Pope is that there'll be another Pope that'll come in a reasonable length of time,' he said. He thinks the success of the film Conclave could lead to this being the most-watched, real-life papal conclave ever. 'I think it will create quite a bit of interest because there have been a number of people who have spoken to me who aren't even Catholics, but have been quite fascinated by the process,' he said.
Daily Record
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Netflix film everyone should watch after Pope Francis' death
The Pope has died at the age of 88, leaving millions of Catholics around the world in mourning. But one film that has been made about the Head of the Catholic Church is a must-watch for fans Pope Francis has passed away at the age of 88, leaving millions of Catholics worldwide in a state of grief. In a touching announcement, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis had died at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell said: ""Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.", reports the Mirror. Just a day prior to his passing on Easter Monday, Pope Francis had made an appearance in St Peter's Square to extend Easter greetings to the thousands of devotees gathered below. Pope Francis was the first Pontiff hailing from the Americas or the southern hemisphere and was also the first Jesuit to be elected to the top position in the Catholic church. Already in his 70s when he assumed office, Pope Francis' predecessor was Pope Benedict, who chose to retire. This led to the unique situation of having two living Popes residing in the Vatican for the first time. The poignant film, Two Popes, featuring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, creatively explores the ties between two leading figures and is currently available on Netflix. Drawing from their true-life narrative, Two Popes delves into the history of both characters and depicts how they offered one another solace, especially after Pope Benedict's stepping down and Pope Francis' subsequent election. The movie struck a chord unexpectedly, with audiences applauding Pryce and Hopkins for their compelling renditions of the Catholic leaders. On popular critique platform Rotten Tomatoes, Two Popes boasts an impressive 88 percent thumbs-up score. A reviewer said: "A remarkable accomplishment. It's an important film for LGBT Catholics and for all LGBT film fans and should be experienced on the big screen." Praise also came from another who said: "Pryce is so good in The Two Popes, capturing a beloved world figure with undeniable grace and surprising heft. It's smart, well-acted, and features some of the snappiest dialogue you'll hear this year." Moreover, another wrote: "Intelligent filmmaking, telling a very difficult, highly sensitive tale in a low-key, old-fashioned way, and still coming out as entirely relevant to the times." Enthusiasm for the drama didn't wane with the public either. One fan commented: "Two stellar performances by standouts at their craft. Amid all the pomp, all the sterile and the staunch, we gets sly little jokes and asides and more in this charming changing of the Catholic seat of most honor." A second reviewer said: "Totally brilliant acting by the two Popes (Hopkins and Pryce). An interesting story even if one has little sympathy with the Catholic Church. Some may find it boring (no action), but the dialogue is utterly absorbing. Pope Francis' historical background under the Argentinian junta is also a major feature, adding the dimension of religion/politics." A third critic shared their praise, stating: "A riveting and impactful drama on the teachings and issues of the Roman Catholic Church." The Two Popes is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Pope Francis film now on Netflix every Catholic should watch
Pope Francis has passed away at 88, sending shockwaves of grief through the global Catholic community. The Vatican made the announcement that Pope Francis had passed away at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta. His Eminence, Cardinal Farrell shared the news, saying, ""Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning (local time), the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. "His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and His Church. "He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage and universal love, especially in favour of the poorest and most marginalised. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.", reports the Mirror. Just a day before his passing on Easter Monday, Pope Francis appeared in St Peter's Square to extend Easter greetings to the thousands of followers gathered below. Pope Francis made history as the first Pope from the Americas or the southern hemisphere and the first Jesuit to assume the highest office in the Catholic Church. Already in his 70s when he took office, Pope Francis succeeded Pope Benedict, who decided to step down, resulting in the unprecedented scenario of two living Popes residing within the Vatican. The poignant film, Two Popes, which stars Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce on board, offers an imaginative look into the bonds between the two characters and is now up for grabs on Netflix. Crafted on the tales of both men, Two Popes digs into their pasts and touches upon the solace they shared, especially after Pope Benedict stepped down and Pope Francis took the helm. The movie caught audiences off guard, becoming a smash hit, as Hopkins and Pryce earned rave reviews for their impressive depiction of the revered Catholic leaders. Over at Rotten Tomatoes, Two Popes is sitting pretty with a smashing 88 percent thumbs-up rating. One reviewer said: "A remarkable accomplishment. It's an important film for LGBT Catholics and for all LGBT film fans and should be experienced on the big screen." Meanwhile, another noted: "Pryce is so good in The Two Popes, capturing a beloved world figure with undeniable grace and surprising heft. It's smart, well-acted, and features some of the snappiest dialogue you'll hear this year." Yet another critic added: "Intelligent filmmaking, telling a very difficult, highly sensitive tale in a low-key, old-fashioned way, and still coming out as entirely relevant to the times." The audience was just as smitten with the motion picture. A fan said: "Two stellar performances by standouts at their craft. Amid all the pomp, all the sterile and the staunch, we get sly little jokes and asides and more in this charming changing of the Catholic seat of most honour." One fan added: "Totally brilliant acting by the two Popes (Hopkins and Pryce). An interesting story even if one has little sympathy with the Catholic Church. Some may find it boring (no action), but the dialogue is utterly absorbing. Pope Francis' historical background under the Argentinian junta is also a major feature, adding the dimension of religion/politics." Another viewer said: "A riveting and impactful drama on the teachings and issues of the Roman Catholic Church." The Two Popes is now available on Netflix.
