Unconventional Pope: Jude Law as America's Pontiff in "The Young Pope" (2016)
American Pope with Jude Law in Leading Role for Television Series - American Clergy Ascending to Papal Throne
Dive into the intriguing world of "The Young Pope", a series that's been a buzz since its release nearly a decade ago. Created by acclaimed director Paolo Sorrentino ("La Grande Bellezza - The Great Beauty"), this groundbreaking show stars Hollywood heartthrob Jude Law as the first American Pope to shake up the Catholic Church.
You can catch this thought-provoking drama on various streaming platforms, with Season 1 available on Amazon Prime for a flat subscription fee. But how does this series' protagonist, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost (alias Leo XIV), differ from reality?
The Plot Unfolds
Meet Lenny Belardo, the youngest Pope ever elected and the first American to head the highest office of the Catholic Church in "Habemus Papam". Believed to be a manipulable puppet by the powerful cardinals, Belardo turns out to be anything but ordinary. The series character is eccentric, power-hungry, and far from the expected fresh, progressive leader. Compared to the real Leo XIV, who is already 69 years old, Belardo is in his middle age and smokes, drinks, and acts unorthodoxally within the Vatican—as opposite to the strict traditional rules that the Church enforces.
The Pope's Antics
Belardo's actions cause quite a stir among the Curie, as he deviates from the conservative Catholic norms. He announces a loosened sexual morality from St. Peter's balcony, smokes everywhere in the Vatican (while others are not allowed to), drinks Cherry Coke for breakfast, and appoints a nun as his closest advisor.
The Pope's Choice of Name
Choosing the name Pius XIII, the series' American Pope implies a nod to controversial figures in Catholic history. Pius XI and Pius XII were Popes who collaborated with fascists, including Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler. While the real Leo XIV seems to be a more liberal, anti-fascist figure, trying to bridge divides and speak out against oppressive policies and anti-immigrant politics—unlike the reactionary Pius XIII.
In the End
"The Young Pope" (a joint production by Sky, HBO, and Canal+) explores the complexities of power struggles and conservative forces against the establishment in a glamorous, intricate way. The show's creators lay out a captivating tale of power, mystery, and traditionalism, while the real Vatican seems to follow a different path, offering a more moderate and inclusive approach to the Church's leadership.
The second season of "The Young Pope", titled "The New Pope" (2020), and starring John Malkovich, delves into uncharted territory: what happens when the Pope falls into a coma and doesn't wake up for months? Can a new Pope be elected? The cardinals take charge in this unexpected turn of events.
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- Jude Law
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Jude Law, an American actor, portrays the first American Pope in the acclaimed TV series "The Young Pope," created by Paolo Sorrentino, a renowned Italian director. This series, set within the Vatican, shocks the television, media, and Internet world with its unconventional portrayal of the highest office of the Catholic Church. The Pope, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is unlike any other, defying traditional Catholic norms while navigating the complexities of power struggles within the Church. This revolutionary drama is available for streaming on Prime Video, offering a unique blend of entertainment and international intrigue that echoes the less conventional paths taken by the Church in reality.
