Cover The political thriller ’The Conclave’, starring Ralph Fiennes, has garnered critical acclaim since it was released in 2024 (Photo: Focus Features via IMDB)
The political thriller ’The Conclave’, starring Ralph Fiennes, has garnered critical acclaim since it was released in 2024 (Photo: Focus Features via IMDB)
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From epics to thrillers, here are the most compelling films that illuminate the legacy, struggles and complexities of the men who have worn the papal crown
The papacy wields influence and shapes history beyond its borders (the Vatican) and religious mandate (as the governing body of the Catholic Church). Far from simply being a religious office, the Bishop of Rome has served as both a shepherd to the faithful and, at times, a kingmaker in global politics. The Vatican, with its gilded ceilings and whispered intrigues, has been the site of theological revolutions, political machinations and many moments of profound spiritual reckoning.
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It’s no wonder cinema has long been fascinated with this institution: some films take a reverent approach, portraying the pontiffs as moral beacons in turbulent times. Others peel back the grandeur to reveal the human beneath the mitre: flawed, burdened and, occasionally, reluctant to hold the highest office in Christendom. Whether dramatising real-life events or weaving fictional tales within the Vatican’s hallowed halls, these films capture the pressure and paradox of a role that is as political as it is spiritual.
1. ‘The Two Popes’ (2019)
This thoughtful and beautifully acted drama imagines a series of conversations between Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and his future successor, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, who would later become Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce). Director Fernando Meirelles humanises both figures in The Two Popes and expertly demonstrates a balance between humour and gravitas while exploring faith, doubt and the demands of leading the Catholic Church. Pryce’s uncanny resemblance to Pope Francis and Hopkins’ commanding presence make this a must-watch.
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2. ‘The Conclave’ (2024)
This political thriller delves into the machinations of a papal conclave following the death of a beloved pope. As the cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new leader, alliances shift, secrets are revealed and power struggles unfold behind closed doors—quite a contrast to the serene papal figures we see recently. With a stellar cast (Ralph Fiennes, John Lithgow and Stanley Tucci) and an intense, suspenseful atmosphere, The Conclave is a gripping exploration of faith and ambition.
3. ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ (2023)
Believe it or not, this film is actually based on real life. The Pope’s Exorcist takes its cue from Vatican exorcist Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe). The movie follows Amorth as he investigates a sinister possession linked to the Church’s darkest secrets. While it veers into the paranormal, the film touches on the historical role of exorcists within the Vatican and the Pope’s authority over such matters.
4. ‘Habemus Papam’ / ‘We Have a Pope’ (2011)
What happens when a newly elected pope realises he doesn’t want the job? “Habemus Papam” is the phrase used when the conclave of cardinals announces that they’ve chosen a new pope. But in this case, the nominated Bishop of Rome gets election remorse. This Italian dramedy follows Cardinal Melville (Michel Piccoli) as he experiences a crisis of confidence after being chosen as pontiff. The rest of the plot features the Vatican scrambling to cover up his disappearance. It is one of the many pope films that explore the immense pressures of the papal office with wit and poignancy.
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5. ‘The Shoes of the Fisherman’ (1968)
This Cold War-era drama envisions a Ukrainian cardinal and former labour camp prisoner (Anthony Quinn) unexpectedly becoming Pope Kiril I. Facing global tensions, he attempts to broker peace between the US and the Soviet Union (the Soviet Union premier Piotr Ilyich Kamenev is played by the legendary Laurence Olivier). The film may be fiction but it reflects the real-life Vatican diplomacy that has shaped world events for centuries.
6. ‘The Godfather Part III’ (1990)
While not strictly a film about the papacy, The Godfather Part III is deeply entwined with Vatican intrigue. Michael Corleone (Al Pacino) attempts to buy his way into legitimacy through a multimillion-dollar deal with the Vatican Bank—an allusion to real-life scandals involving the Church’s finances. The film even includes a fictionalised version of Pope John Paul I, whose sudden and mysterious death has fuelled conspiracy theories for decades. The Vatican’s involvement in high-stakes corruption and power struggles makes this wildcard an essential entry in any list of films about the pope.
7. ‘The Agony and the Ecstasy’ (1965)
The Agony and the Ecstasy captures the clash of wills and the creative genius that led to one of history's greatest artistic achievements. Specifically, it centres around the historical drama between Pope Julius II (Rex Harrison) and artist Michelangelo (Charlton Heston) during the painting of the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Harrison’s portrayal of Julius II is both commanding and volatile, illustrating the Pope’s relentless pursuit of artistic perfection. Meanwhile, Heston’s Michelangelo struggles with his vision, personal faith and the burden of meeting the Pope’s expectations.
8. ‘Becket’ (1964)
This film is not solely about the pope; Thomas Becket was the Archbishop of Canterbury, after all. Becket, the movie, revolves around the archbishop’s (Richard Burton) fatal conflict with King Henry II (Peter O’Toole). However, the Pope finds himself the crucial arbiter in the battle between church and state. The film excellently showcases how papal influence extended beyond Rome and shaped European history. Here, Burton’s Becket is a man torn between duty and loyalty, while O’Toole’s Henry II embodies reckless ambition, making their ideological clash electrifying.
9. ‘Amen’ (2002)
This is a more controversial take as far as pope films go. The plot centres on the Vatican’s lack of response to the Holocaust. Amen features real-life German SS officer Kurt Gerstein (Ulrich Tukur) and a fictional Jesuit priest Ricardo Fontana (Mathieu Kassovitz) as they attempt to alert Pope Pius XII to the Nazi atrocities. Amen raises difficult questions about moral complicity and the Church’s role in history.
10. ‘Angels & Demons’ (2009)
This fast-paced thriller dives into Vatican intrigue as Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) races against time to prevent the Illuminati from destroying the Holy See. Following the death of the Pope, the film reveals the inner workings of the conclave, where cardinals gather to elect a new pontiff—only to be threatened by a centuries-old secret society. It's parts real Vatican history, conspiracy theory and gripping action. Who would have thought that the papal election could turn into a high-stakes mystery?
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