Holy reels – the top 5 most iconic films about the pope

From saintly to scandalous, the Pope has graced cinema in all forms. These five films push the boundaries of faith, drama, and humor.

The cultural curiosity surrounding Popes has always been widespread, not just in mainstream media, but in cinema too.

As the world reflects on the passing of Pope Francis over the Easter weekend, it’s worth looking back at the many interpretations of the Holy Father.

Pop culture has long offered a wide range of portrayals of the pontiff, from serious and sympathetic to satirical and strange.

Most notably, the 2004 teen comedy EuroTrip earns an honorable mention for its notorious Vatican sequence.

In one of the film’s most outrageous scenes, the protagonist Scott accidentally ends up donning papal robes during a chaotic visit to the Vatican, where a series of missteps leads the gathered crowd to believe he’s the newly elected Pope.

The moment spirals into slapstick blasphemy, drawing criticism for its irreverent humor at the expense of the Catholic Church.

We present five cinematic picks that reflect this diversity. Some are grounded in real history, others lean into absurdity or imagination, but all of them have made a cultural or critical impact in their own way.

The Two Popes (2019)

This Netflix gem captures a pivotal moment in the Vatican: Pope Benedict's shocking 2013 resignation, and the unexpected relationship that forms between him and Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis. What begins as a power shift becomes a deeply human conversation about faith, failure, and forgiveness.

As you’d guess from the title, it’s a character study of two contrasting styles – Benedict, conservative and aloof, and Francis, progressive and reformative.

Though the film leans toward the more relatable Francis – who in one memorable scene fumbles to recall his postcode – it’s Anthony Hopkins who steals the show as Benedict.

As The New York Times put it: “He mutters and whispers, sighs and fidgets, and turns Benedict from a presumed villain into an almost tragic figure.”

Nominated for three Oscars, the film was widely praised for imagining the kind of behind-closed-doors dialogue the world rarely sees – and for spotlighting the unprecedented moment when two living popes faced one another.

Conclave (2024)

A highly original slice of historical fiction, with a strong emphasis on the fiction. Based on Robert Harris' novel, the story unfolds with a newly dead pope and 118 cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel.

Ralph Fiennes, as the Dean of the College of Cardinals, is tasked with overseeing the election of the new pope.

An atmospheric, shadowy tone underpins the action, which is refreshingly plot-driven – a mystery wrapped in incense smoke.

Though the deceased pope is never physically present, his presence looms large. As the cardinals face the election process, the film explores the machinery behind one’s rise to power – and whether someone might upend the entire system.

Fresh out of the gates and particularly timely, this pick will appeal to anyone who enjoys plot twists worthy of a thriller, while still showing how even the holiest of elections come with skeletons. Think House of Cards, but holier.

Francesco (2020)

A top pick, especially as a tribute to the recently deceased pope. Pope Francis cared about issues that many others overlooked, such as climate change, social justice, poverty, and interfaith dialogue between Muslims, Jews, and various Christian denominations.

Crucially, his attempts to address the sex abuse scandals within the Catholic Church became a monumental conversation, one that he’ll be remembered for having.

If the Pope ever needed a portrayal of an outward, humble figure – part pastoral, part activist – this was it. While not a mainstream hit, Francesco was more acclaimed on the festival circuit.

Evgeny Afineevsky captured an intricate portrait of both the colossal mess humanity has made and the pivotal role that a figurehead like the Pope can still play.

Habemus Papam (We have a Pope) (2011)

This film brings an existential comedy vibe, centered on a man who absolutely does not want the job as the new Holy Father.

The premise: when a pope dies and the conclave selects a successor, each candidate prays to God that they don’t get the nod – a hilarious and whimsical take on how their lives could be upended by the holy state.

At the time, when discussions of mental health were beginning to enter the public consciousness, the Pope’s therapy sessions sparked controversy. The Vatican responded strongly, with Italian news agency AGI even calling for a ban on the film.

Director Nanni Moretti takes a bold risk by letting the plot unravel, ultimately having the Pope run away. It’s a tragicomedy that leans into risk-taking and angering the establishment – that goes a long way in our book.

Pope Joan (2009)

This film is based on the medieval legend that a woman once disguised herself as a man and became a priest, eventually rising all the way to the papacy.

Pope Joan leans into the aesthetics of Gladiator and The Da Vinci Code, but it’s thematically bold in the way it tears into institutional misogyny – which helped it develop a bit of a cult following over time.

While it didn’t do brilliantly at the box office – falling short of breaking even on its $29 million production budget – and drew mixed critical reviews, it remains one of the more audacious entries in the genre. It challenged the status quo head-on, and that alone makes it a standout.