The Arts Corner Papal Bromance

The film’s two stars both received Oscar nominations

Popes Francis and Benedict go head to head in a fictional to Rome. On arriving at Fiumicino Airport, he is whisked to Castel Gan- movie on their vision for the Church dolfo by a Vatican limousine, though he insists on riding upfront with the chauffeur. At the ’ summer pal- by Gerard Condon the ceremonial entrance of the car- ace, just south of Rome, the two men dinals to the clicking of the pen that begin a series of dialogues that are the UBBED a “papal bromance” by film one cardinal uses to make his choice. heart of the movie. critics, The Two Popes (, 2019) In discussions outside the Sistine Benedict presents as kind, if D is a fictional account of the momen- Chapel Bergoglio (Anthony Pryce) introverted. He prefers to dine alone tous events of 2013, when, for the protests at having his name put for- on simple Bavarian dishes, though he first time in seven centuries, one pope ward. His humility only encourages does permit himself a glass of Fanta. made way for another during his own his supporters, who quote Plato’s dic- His priority is to defend the Church lifetime. tum, “The most important qualifica- against the “moral relativism” of our Saint John Paul II died on April tion of a leader is not wanting to be times. On making a joke that falls 2, 2005, following an agonising battle leader.” Another colleague says that flat, he reminds Bergoglio that it is a with Parkinson’s Disease. His 27-year it’s time for a non-European pope. German joke, “it doesn’t have to be pontificate had, as the movie’s pream- Europe has grown tired; its churches funny.” ble puts it, ended the “liberalisation are “bellissime ma vuote” (beautiful Cardinal Bergoglio, by contrast, is of the Church” that followed Vatican but empty). During another break warm and avuncular, an avid soccer II (1962-1965). The 115 cardinals who Ratzinger () and fan and lover of tango. He eschews took part in the subsequent conclave Bergoglio meet in the washroom. the pomp and pageantry of clerical elected Vatican-insider, Josef Ratz- Ratzinger greets Bergoglio in fluent life, reputedly having the same pair inger (Benedict XVI) as his succes- Latin, enquiring what tune his fellow of shoes for 25 years. He chats easily sor. The archbishop of , cardinal is humming. Bergoglio, in with the gardener at Castel Gandolfo, Jorge Bergoglio, was reportedly a dis- broken Latin, replies that it is Ab- who gives him a sprig of oregano to tant second. ba’s Dancing Queen. Their contrasting take home. “You are very popular,” styles are immediately obvious. comments Pope Benedict. “Oh, I just Contrasting styles After the conclave, Bergoglio try to be myself,” Bergoglio replies. returns to a simple life in Buenos “Whenever I try to be myself,” Ben- The Two Popes captures the colour Aires. Just as he is planning his retire- edict continues, “people don’t seem and drama of the 2005 conclave, from ment Pope Benedict summons him to like me very much.”

42 MES­SEN­GER OF ST. AN­THO­NY | MARCH 2020 Change and compromise and above all his past. The movie digresses to an overlong account of Benedict wants to preserve the the younger Bergoglio (Juan Minujín) unity of the Church, and thinks it who joined the Jesuits in 1958. By the would reflect badly on him should 1970s he was their provincial lead- Bergoglio retire. But he criticizes the er, but accused himself of complic- Argentinian for reportedly allowing ity with the military junta that was divorced Catholics to receive com- terrorising Argentina. While he was munion. Bergoglio replies that Jesus taking tea in the presidential palace, dined with sinners in the hope of Christ was imprisoned with the leftist their conversion. Many Catholics are priests who were being tortured. ignoring Church doctrines they do In the 1980s there followed an not agree with. Benedict replies that exile, of sorts, to a remote part of “change is compromise”; “the Church Argentina. In those years he “learned Anthony Hopkins as Pope Benedict XVI; that marries the spirit of the age will to listen” and develop the theology of influenced by Richard Burton, the actor be widowed in the next.” God’s mercy that he promotes today. decided to study at the Royal Welsh The film switches to the Vatican, On becoming Archbishop of Buenos College of Music & Drama, when Pope Benedict is summoned Aires in 1998 he decided not to move graduating in 1957 from his vacation to deal with the cri- into the archbishop’s house. “You sis now known as “Vatileaks” (August were made bishop, but did not live 2012). Cardinal Bergoglio joins him, like one,” Benedict wryly observes. uncanny resemblance to Pope Fran- and their conversations continue. The Benedict, too, admits to falling cis. While the screenplay is focused Pope feels overwhelmed and reveals short. In a highly improbable ges- on the Bergoglio story, it is Anthony his secret intention to resign. Ber- ture, he makes a sacramental confes- Hopkins who steals the show as the el- goglio reminds him of the statement sion to the Argentinian cardinal. “I derly, but determined, Pope Benedict. of Saint Paul VI, that a pope cannot sinned by hiding away in books,” he directed The stop being pope, no more than a fa- tells Bergoglio, and accuses himself of Two Popes with characteristic Latin ther can stop being a father. But Ben- deficiencies in addressing the sexual American flair. His Oscar winning edict persists, “What damage will I do abuse scandals. The film’s denoue- City of God (2002) had his camera if I remain?” While he disagreed with ment returns the viewer to the factual panning the narrow streets of Rio Bergoglio’s “style and methods,” he events of 2013. On February 11 Bene- de Janeiro. Here he captures the co- recognises that the Church needs re- dict announced his decision to resign. lour of the Vatican’s corridors. The form and “you could be that change.” was elected by the con- producers get many of the incidental clave that was convened one month details right, such as the Vatican’s Absolving failures later. As the newly elected Pope vested (SCV) vehicle registration plates and in the ante-chamber of the Sistine the Italian Air Force helicopter used Bergoglio protests his unsuit- Chapel (the ‘room of tears’), he is re- as the papal transport. ability on the grounds of age, health, puted to have refused the more elabo- It’s in the bigger picture that The rate garb of his predecessor, saying, Two Popes is least accurate. Accord- “Il carnevale è finito” (the fancy dress ing to his 2016 interview with Pe- as Cardinal Jorge is over). The film ends on a posi- ter Seewald, Pope Benedict made the Bergoglio; he is a critically tive, but another factually improbable decision to resign on his own and acclaimed, award- scene, of the two Popes watching Ger- without consultation with any of winning actor from many versus Argentina in the 2014 his cardinals. On the few occasions North World Cup. Germany won. they have met, I imagine that the two Wales Popes speak in Italian, not English. Uncanny resemblance The movie exaggerates their contrast- ing theologies for the sake of dramat- The big-budget production val- ic effect. ues of Netflix are evident in this However The Two Popes paints a movie. They even built a positive view of the Church. While replica of the Sistine leadership in the secular world is Chapel at the Cine- fraught with hostility, these two men città film studios are gracious and respectful. They in Rome. Jonathan show the importance of listening to Pryce bears an each other, as well as to God. ✦

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