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We live in a time of great divides. We’re divided by our views on politics and religion and a wide variety of social issues—issues that can instantly turn a holiday dinner or a social media post into a war zone. But The Two Popes shows that two men with differing beliefs can have a conversation without coming to blows.
The Two Popes sits down for a conversation with Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins) and his harshest critic, Cardinal Bergoglio of Argentina (Jonathan Pryce). In 2012, the Cardinal sends a letter to the Pope, asking for his permission to retire—but instead of giving his blessing, the Pope, fearing that it could be seen as a protest by the Cardinal, summons him to Rome. Once there, the two journey from the Pope’s summer home to the Vatican, discussing their vastly differing beliefs and viewpoints, their past, and the future of the church.
For the most part, The Two Popes is a little bit of set up, a few flashbacks, and a whole lot of conversation. That may not sound particularly interesting, but it all comes together in a way that’s quietly fascinating. Here are two men who are held in high esteem in the Catholic Church: the Pope and a well-loved Cardinal. They’re men who have dedicated their lives to the Church, yet they have very different backgrounds and very different perspectives—and they’re both very aware of their differences.
These differences, of course, cause plenty of awkwardness and disagreements. The Pope often points out that he doesn’t agree with anything that the other man has to say. He prefers, instead, to play the piano or watch strange Austrian TV shows. But as the men begin to open up about their faith—and about their journey—the awkwardness turns into something, well, less awkward. They begin to find some common ground—if just the slightest bit. While they continue to disagree on major issues, they continue their discussions with respect.
These characters—and these two remarkably gifted actors—turn a couple of days of conversations into something fascinating. No matter what your views on the two men and their beliefs, you’ll still be captivated by their personalities, their quirks, and their stories.
The Two Popes isn’t an especially heavy drama. At times, in fact, it’s surprisingly amusing. But while it doesn’t dig deeply into the more serious issues, it has a lot to say—and it says it well. And through the discussions, the laughs, and the pizza, you might just learn a little bit about working through our differences and finding a way to move forward.
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