While there has been no shortage of news coverage about the death of Pope Francis, sometimes we need a more narrative form of storytelling to get us through the loss. Here are four treatments that are worth your time.
Conclave
One of my favorite movies from last year was the Oscar-nominated Conclave, which gives viewers a look into the shrouded ritual behind the election of a Catholic pope. I thought of this film again following the death of Pope Francis in April and decided to rewatch it before the real-life conclave began at the Vatican. And the movie was just as rich an experience the second time around. The acting, sets, and culture of the film do a great job of re-creating the papal election process and making it seem like you have a front-row seat for this age-old tradition. Available to rent on Amazon Prime and other streaming services. —Susan Hines-Brigger
The Two Popes
What makes Netflix’s The Two Popes so intriguing isn’t the pitch-perfect performances of its two leads, nor is it a thoughtful deep dive into papal chaos (as Conclave was). What makes this film stand out is the ideological and verbal tug-of-war between the outgoing and incoming popes, and how they were able to bridge their differences for the good of the worldwide Church. Jonathan Pryce (as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio) and Anthony Hopkins (as Pope Benedict XVI) are simply astonishing in their Oscar-nominated characterizations—and they are supported by a layered script by Anthony McCarten. The Two Popes is an examination in how change, while often painful, is essential for growth. —Christopher Heffron
TED Talk
In April 2017, Pope Francis gave a 17-minute TED Talk, titled “Why the Only Future Worth Building Includes Everyone,” a phrase that could very well describe his vision of God’s kingdom as well as his papacy. Among the many memorable moments from Pope Francis’ time at the head of the Church, this TED Talk generated some of the most quotable offerings from the Holy Father. Case in point: “None of us is an island, an autonomous and independent ‘I,’ separated from the other. We can only build the future by standing together, including everyone,” he said, about the nature of interdependence. And in these increasingly challenging times, he offered a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel: “Through the darkness of today’s conflicts, each and every one of us can become a bright candle, a reminder that light will overcome darkness, and never the other way around.” Thank you, Pope Francis. —Daniel Imwalle
The Shoes of the Fisherman
When I first began ministry, my mother handed me The Shoes of the Fisherman, by Morris West. I think she knew something I hadn’t fully realized yet—that ministry would ask me to both accompany people in faith and manage systems. The novel follows Kiril Lakota, a humble Ukrainian archbishop unexpectedly made pope during a time of global crisis. His leadership is marked by vulnerability, spiritual listening, and costly service. My favorite line, “I do not know the answers. I can only seek the truth and trust the Spirit to guide me,” has stayed with me as a kind of prayer. Like Pope Francis, Kiril leads not from a throne but from a posture of encounter, willing to be with and for others, especially the poor. This book reminds me that administration is part of the job—but it must never replace the deeper call: to walk with others in love, humility, and faith. —Ela Milewska
