The transition between Pope Benedict to Pope Francis was unusual, to say the least. Normally, the Catholic Church brings on a new leader when the previous one passes, as was the case when Pope Benedict was chosen. However, in the case of Pope Francis’ rise to power, it came not the time of Benedict’s passing, but instead upon his retirement, which is something that Pope’s don’t normally get the opportunity to do. This leads to the events covered in the new film “The Two Popes.”
“The Two Popes,” as seen in the new teaser, tells the story of a meeting between Pope Benedict and the future Pope Francis, as their similarities and differences are clear as day. The film stars Anthony Hopkins as the controversial Pope Benedict, with Jonathan Pryce portraying Cardinal Bergoglio, who will go on to become Francis.
The film stars Hopkins and Pryce, as the titular clergymen. “The Two Popes” is directed by Fernando Meirelles, who is best known for his Oscar-nominated film “City of God.” He’s also the helmer behind films “The Constant Gardener” and “Blindness.” The film is written by Anthony McCarten, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter known for his previous projects “Darkest Hour,” “The Theory of Everything,” and “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
“The Two Popes” debuts in select theaters on November 27 and on Netflix December 20.
Here’s the synopsis:
From Fernando Meirelles, the Academy Award-nominated director of “City of God,” and three-time Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Anthony McCarten, comes an intimate story of one of the most dramatic transitions of power in the last 2,000 years. Frustrated with the direction of the church, Cardinal Bergoglio (Jonathan Pryce) requests permission to retire in 2012 from Pope Benedict (Anthony Hopkins). Instead, facing scandal and self-doubt, the introspective Pope Benedict summons his harshest critic and future successor to Rome to reveal a secret that would shake the foundations of the Catholic Church. Behind Vatican walls, a struggle commences between both tradition and progress, guilt and forgiveness, as these two very different men confront elements from their pasts in order to find common ground and forge a future for a billion followers around the world.
