Joshua Bennett
The Young Pope is a satirical drama television series created and directed by Paolo Sorrentino for Sky Atlantic, HBO, and Canal+. The series stars Jude Law as the newly elected Pope Pius XIII, formerly Archbishop of New York, and Diane Keaton as his confidante, Sister Mary. The show received mixed reviews, with some Catholic media criticizing its portrayal of the Church as caricatural and cartoonish, while others praised its portrayal of tradition and authentic religious devotion. The show has been described as having a muddled plot, but it has also been praised for its cinematography and soundtrack. Some viewers have questioned whether the show is anti-Catholic, with its depiction of a pope who is at times a saint and at other times a sinner, as well as its exploration of themes such as clerical hypocrisy and the problem of sin.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Critical of the Church | Yes |
| Sexual content and nudity | Yes |
| Supportive of the Church | Yes |
| Portrayal of tradition and authentic religious devotion | Yes |
| Heterodox theology | Yes |
| Anti-Catholic stance | No |
| Portrays the Church as caricatural and "cartoonish" | Yes |
| Political nature of the Church | Yes |
| Portrays the Pope as a living Saint | Yes |
| Portrays the Pope as possibly an atheist or agnostic | Yes |
| Depicts secularized Catholics as heroes | Yes |
| Depicts the Pope as a sinner | Yes |
| Depicts the Pope as Christ-like | Yes |
| Depicts the Pope as the Antichrist | Yes |
| Depicts the Pope as infallible | Yes |
| Neo-ultramontanist portrayal of the Pope | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The show's sexual content and nudity
The Young Pope has been criticised by some viewers for its sexual content and nudity. One viewer notes that the show contains "a lot of perversion", while another states that they "didn't like how much sexual content there was".
The show features several instances of non-sexual female nudity, including shots of women's breasts. There are also brief sex scenes, including one between a "mentally deficient" man and a woman, and another featuring oral sex. In one scene, a woman is shown stripping naked in an attempt to seduce a man. There are also several references to masturbation, premarital sex, abortion, and sex outside of procreation.
Some viewers have questioned the necessity of these scenes, arguing that they feel "gratuitous" and exist "simply for the sake of it". However, one reviewer, Nick Ripatrazone, writes that "the show plays with sensuality and sexuality but is never gratuitous".
The show's sequel, The New Pope, has been described as "much nastier, especially sexually", with "much nudity and pornography".
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The Pope's bipolar faith
One interpretation of the Pope's faith journey in the series is that it reflects a bipolar nature. Starting from a place of self-absorption and doubt, the Pope's faith seems to waver between extremes. At times, he appears saintly, while in other moments, he is portrayed as a sinner, blaspheming and questioning his own existence. This duality in his character has been interpreted as a sign of his bipolar faith, where he oscillates between extreme devotion and personal struggles.
The series explores the Pope's internal conflicts and his challenges to established traditions. In the narrative, the Pope grapples with grief and doubt in the existence of God, while also performing miracles and claiming a direct line of communication with the divine. This erratic behaviour could be indicative of a bipolar faith journey, as he struggles to find balance and consistency in his spiritual beliefs.
However, it is important to note that the series has been criticised by some Catholic media outlets for its portrayal of the Church and its theology. The show has been accused of taking creative liberties with Catholic theology, particularly in its exploration of the nature of God and his attributes. Additionally, the depiction of the Pope as a neo-ultramontanist, believing himself to be infallible, has been identified as a heresy rebuked by the First Vatican Council.
Despite these criticisms, the series has also received praise for its visual aesthetics and acting performances. Some viewers have found it surprisingly supportive of the Church at times, and it has sparked discussions about the Catholic faith, even among those who may be questioning Christianity. The Young Pope presents a complex and multifaceted portrayal of faith, leaving it open to interpretation and sparking conversations about the nature of religious belief and doubt.
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Clerical hypocrisy
The HBO series The Young Pope has been criticised by Catholic media. The show contains nudity, sex scenes, and depictions of secularised Catholics as the "true champions" of the Church, with everyone else characterised as sexual deviants. However, some viewers have argued that the show is not anti-Catholic, and that it is surprisingly supportive of the Church at times.
The show's protagonist, Pope Pius XIII, is a complex and contradictory figure. He is portrayed as both a saint and a sinner, a conservative and traditionalist, yet also possibly an atheist or agnostic. This ambiguity extends to his understanding of love, celibacy, and the priesthood, and his relationship with God. While some viewers found this duality intriguing, others interpreted it as a critique of the Church.
The show also explores the politics and power dynamics within the Vatican, raising questions about the role of the Holy Spirit in an institution marked by ambition, deception, and secrecy. The series has been praised for its cinematography, soundtrack, and character development, offering a visually stunning and thought-provoking viewing experience.
One of the central themes of The Young Pope is the exposure of clerical hypocrisy. The show presents a nuanced portrayal of the Catholic Church, challenging viewers' perceptions and inviting dialogue about the institution and its beliefs. By depicting the internal struggles and contradictions within the Church, the series highlights the gap between appearance and reality, inviting reflection on the nature of hypocrisy and the importance of truthfulness and transparency.
Hypocrisy, as defined by Pope Francis, is the fear of truth and the inability to love genuinely. It involves pretending, flattering, and deceiving, wearing a "mask" that hides one's true self. In the context of the Church, hypocrisy can manifest as a discrepancy between one's public and private behaviour, undermining the unity and integrity of the religious community. By addressing clerical hypocrisy, The Young Pope prompts viewers to consider the complexities and challenges facing the Catholic Church, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of its traditions and doctrines.
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The Pope's neo-ultramontanist beliefs
In the series, the Pope, played by Jude Law, embodies these beliefs in his words and actions. For example, in one scene, he tells the Cardinals that there is a "new sheriff in town" and that the permissive days are over, suggesting that he believes it is his role to enforce strict adherence to Catholic doctrine. This neo-ultramontanist perspective is further reflected in the Pope's understanding of love, celibacy, and the priesthood, which some viewers have found surprising and thought-provoking.
The series also explores the implications of neo-ultramontanist beliefs within the context of the Vatican. It portrays a world of ambition, deception, and secrecy, raising questions about the role of the Holy Spirit within the political dynamics of the Catholic Church. While some viewers have criticised the series for its negative portrayal of the Church, others have found it surprisingly supportive at times.
Overall, the Pope's neo-ultramontanist beliefs in *The Young Pope* present a complex and multifaceted exploration of Catholic theology and the role of the Pope. The series invites viewers, regardless of their religious beliefs, to engage in a dialogue about the nature of faith, doubt, and the complexities of human character, even within the highest ranks of the Catholic Church.
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The show's portrayal of the Church as caricatural and cartoonish
The Young Pope, a satirical drama television series, has received criticism from some Catholic reviewers, who perceive the series as anti-Catholic. They take issue with the caricatural and "cartoonish" portrayal of the Church.
The series centres around Lenny Belardo, a young cardinal from New York City, who becomes Pope Pius XIII. One of his first acts as Pope is to decree that common people are not worthy of gazing upon his face, shrouding himself in darkness when appearing before the public. He also assumes control of the political affairs of the Vatican, alarming senior cardinals, who attempt to control him. The show depicts the Pope as a complex character, who is at times a saint and at other times a sinner, grappling with doubt and personal problems.
The show has been criticised for its portrayal of the Church as power-hungry and political. The Pope is shown to be infallible, which is a heresy rebuked by the First Vatican Council. The series also includes sexual content and brief sex scenes, which some viewers found unnecessary and perverse.
However, it is important to note that the show has received generally favourable reviews, with an 80% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Some conservative reviewers and traditionalist Catholics have even praised the show for its portrayal of tradition and authentic religious devotion. The show's beautiful cinematography, compelling performances, and character development have also been widely acclaimed.
Overall, while some Catholic reviewers have criticised The Young Pope for its caricatural portrayal of the Church, others have found it to be a thought-provoking and well-crafted piece of entertainment.
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Frequently asked questions
The show has been criticised by some Catholic media for its portrayal of the Church as caricatural and "cartoonish". However, others have praised the show for its portrayal of tradition and authentic religious devotion. Overall, the show seems to have a mixed reception among Catholics, with some finding it offensive and others finding it surprisingly supportive.
Some Catholic viewers have taken issue with the show's portrayal of the Church as caricatural and "cartoonish". The show has also been criticised for its depiction of the Pope as a neo-ultramontanist, believing himself to be infallible in all things said publicly and privately, which is a heresy rebuked by the First Vatican Council.
Yes, despite the criticism, some Catholics have praised the show for its portrayal of tradition and authentic religious devotion. The show has also been described as "gorgeously shot" and visually arresting, with a fantastic soundtrack.
The Young Pope follows a young cardinal from New York City, Lenny Belardo, who becomes the Pope and immediately begins to challenge the established traditions and practices of the Vatican. The show explores themes such as the problem of sin and the difficulty of Christ’s high call to holiness.
The Young Pope has been described as a satirical drama with elements of dark comedy. The show blends over-the-top melodrama with profane comedy and has been praised for its bright-eyed soundtrack, intense colours, and roller-coaster plot.
