4 Stars — Inspiring
Writing a screenplay about two of the most well-known people in recent history is a daunting task. Nevertheless, writer Anthony McCarten has brought to the screen a compelling and inspirational look at the possible conversations that went on between Pope Benedict XVI, who uncharacteristically resigned on Feb. 28, 2013, as the leader of 1.2 billion Catholics, and his soon-to-be successor, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires, Argentina, who became Pope Francis. “The Two Popes” tells the story of the transformation of two men’s lives, but it also reveals the transformation of the historic seat of Christendom.
For most of the past 1,000 years, the Bishop of Rome, better known as the Roman Catholic pope, once elected, always served as the leader of the largest branch of the Christian Church until his death. At the time of the demise of Pope John Paul II in 2005, the cardinals of the church deliberated and prayed for guidance as to where the church should go next. Two factions seemed strong, those conservative traditionalists who backed Bavarian-born Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger (Anthony Hopkins), dean of the College of Cardinals in Rome, and those seeking reform in the church who backed Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) from Argentina. With his obvious inside track, Ratzinger emerged rather quickly as Pope Benedict XVI.
Whether it was just a stroke of bad timing, a symptom of the internal decay of the institution, or God’s divine plan, the years between 2005 and 2013 did not go easy for Pope Benedict. The coverup of predatory priests throughout the world, coupled with the revealing of leaked emails that gave light to the abuse of power and money that was eating away the soul of the church, caused the Catholic Church to lose its appeal to every level of believer worldwide. The decline of moral, spiritual as well as financial support, coupled with the fatigue that came with attempting to lead a global enterprise while in your 80s, led Pope Benedict to make a decision that seemed unthinkable. He decided to resign with little fanfare and was gone within the month!
In the days leading up to Pope Benedict’s announcement, this film adaptation shows us a remarkable series of dialogues between two men who don’t really like each other. Pope Benedict doesn’t agree with hardly anything that Cardinal Bergoglio stands for, believing that only a hard line against liberalism and lapsed Catholics would preserve the “true church.” The cardinal from the streets of Buenos Aires saw the pontiff as a symbol of wealth and power that is antithetical to the Christian message of loving the poor. Why then would Pope Benedict turn over the reins of the church to this man?
It is the richness of the dialogue that gives us the answer. It is not a debate over theology that wins the day, but rather the remarkable sharing of caring conversations that is transformative. Pope Benedict hears what God has to say in a way that is new and penetrating, and Cardinal Bergoglio hears the confession of the pope as one brother to another. God doesn’t appear in thunder and lightning, rather in the loving communion of heart-to-heart conversations. Both actors deserve an Academy Award for their honest and captivating portrayals.
There are so many subjects you wish you could be privy to as these two men talk, not the least of which would be why Pope Benedict did not see the profound loss of trust that resulted from the sexual scandals over the years of his leadership. For those praying for revival in the church, there has been a significant outcry of joy and relief at the new tone set by Pope Francis.
The tug of war over leadership and institutional purity has not ceased since the transition of the two pontiffs, although Pope Francis has made significant progress in restoring the trust of the faithful. In Francis’ 2019 Christmas message, he stated: “Rigidity and imbalance fuel one another in a vicious circle. And these days, the temptation to rigidity has become so apparent.”
According to media reports following his Christmas sermon, “Traditionalist Catholics have denounced Francis’ emphasis on mercy and openness to doctrinal wiggle room on issues such as sacraments for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. Francis has defended his outlook and priorities as a reflection of the Gospel and the axiom that the true tradition of the church is one of a continuous, discerned path of change.”
“The Two Popes” is a revealing and touching tonic for the heart. It is another reminder that the temptation to become a religious Pharisee strikes every generation of believers, and ultimately leads to death. Its only hope is when one life is given for another.
Discussion
» The struggle with trusting in rules rather than Jesus has always been the Christian struggle. How do you experience this struggle in your own life?
» The personal qualities and values of religious leaders are often ignored as politics enters into decision-making. How does a drama like this help look beneath the rhetoric?
» The teachings of Christ are often misunderstood or even manipulated. Where do you see this happening today?
— Cinema in Focus is a social and spiritual movie commentary. Hal Conklin is a former mayor of Santa Barbara and Denny Wayman is the retired pastor of Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara and lead superintendent of Free Methodist Church in Southern California. For more reviews, visit www.cinemainfocus.com, or follow them on Twitter: @CinemaInFocus. The opinions expressed are their own.