Reel faith: Hollywood’s obsession with the Vatican

Pope Francis’s death at 88 has sparked global interest in the papal election process. Luckily, several films offer insight into the Pope's role and influence.

These five films, spanning thrillers, dramas, and historical fiction, offer a cinematic glimpse into papal power, Church history, and the enduring mysteries of faith.

1. Conclave (2024)

Directed by Edward Berger, this political thriller revolves around Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes), who organizes a conclave to elect the next pope and finds himself investigating secrets and scandals about the major candidates. The movie won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay earlier this year and earned Ralph Fiennes his third nomination for Best Actor. At the same time, Isabella Rossellini received her first nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

2. The Pope's Exorcist (2023)

Inspired by the real-life files of Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist, The Pope’s Exorcist follows a chilling investigation into a young boy’s demonic possession. As Amorth investigates, he uncovers a centuries-old conspiracy that the Church has long hidden. With the child's fate and the Church's soul hanging in the balance, Amorth must confront unspeakable evil in a battle that tests his faith to its core.

3. The Two Popes (2019)

The Two Popes, starring Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins, is adapted from McCarten's play The Pope. It explores the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, focusing on the events that led to Benedict’s unprecedented resignation in 2013. Jonathan Pryce plays Pope Francis, while Anthony Hopkins breathes life into Pope Benedict XVI's character, which is central to the story.

4. Angels & Demons (2009)

Based on Dan Brown’s bestselling novel of the same name, this Tom Hanks starrer is one of the biggest reasons the general audience became interested in the Catholic Church. Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon is tasked with deciphering Illuminati symbols to stop a plot targeting the cardinals.

5. The Shoes of the Fisherman (1968)

Based on Morris West’s 1963 novel, this film revolves around the era's hottest subjects: the Vatican and Cold War politics. Anthony Quinn stars as Kiril Lakota, a Catholic priest released from a Siberian labor camp by a Soviet leader during the Cold War—but only after enduring decades of imprisonment.

Even Mission: Impossible and The Godfather ventured into the Vatican — one for a covert mission, the other for a calculated murder.