The Two Popes: Have you watched this movie based on former Pope Benedict XVI's life?

Former Pope Benedict XVI, who passed away earlier today at the age of 95 at the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican, was the first pontiff in 600 years to resign. 

As people across the world mourn the death of the former pope, one is reminded of the 2019 Oscar-nominated Hollywood film The Two Popes, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce in lead roles. 

Although much of the content in the biographical drama that is directed by Fernando Meirelles and written by Anthony McCarten is based on real-life events, the film – that has been adapted from McCarten's play The Pope – is a fictionalised encounter between German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who became Pope Benedict XVI in 2005, and Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was elected as Pope Francis after Benedict’s resignation in 2013.

Plot of The Two Popes
The film begins in April 2005, after the death of Pope John Paul II, when Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, is called to the Vatican. German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger is elected as Pope Benedict XVI, while Cardinal Bergoglio receives the second-highest number of votes.

The film then cuts to seven years later, when the Vatican Leaks scandal is hanging heavily over the Catholic Church.

A quick recap: The corruption of the Church was exposed, as was the blackmailing of homosexual clergy by individuals outside the Church in the scandal. All this was during Benedict's tenure, who faced criticism from the public for trying to cover it up. 

Back to the film, Benedict and Bergoglio meet at the Palace of Castel Gandolfo, the Pope's summer residence, and have a conversation which revolves around God, faith and moral responsibility. The two men end up forming a warm bond, eventually forcing them to put aside their differences. 

Both Benedict and Bergoglio want to resign from their positions, and both are against the other's resignations. During their conversation, one gets an insight into the reasons and motives behind their decisions, and what eventually results in the Pope's historical resignation, which leads to the Archbishop's appointment in his place. 

Why you should watch this film
First off, watch the film for its stellar star cast and the performance of the two leading men – Anthony Hopkins (who plays Pope Benedict XVI) and Jonathan Pryce (who plays Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio).

The film was nominated for several big awards, including the 2020 Oscars for Best Actor (Jonathan Pryce), Best Supporting Actor (Anthony Hopkins) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Anthony McCarten). It was also nominated at the 2020 British Academy Film Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Critics' Choice Movie Awards, among others.

The Two Popes is available to stream on Netflix.