From ‘Conclave’ to ‘The Borgias’ and ‘Pope Joan’: 11 Movies and TV Shows About the Pope (2025)

• ‘The Godfather Part III’ (1990)

  

  Parts ofFrancis FordCoppola’s threequel starringAl Pacino,Andy GarciaandDiane Keatonwere based loosely on historical events, namely the 33-day papacy of John Paul I in 1978. Like the movie’s fictional Cardinal Lamberto (Raf Vallone), who becomes John Paul I, the real John Paul — known as “the smiling pope” — was found dead in his bed soon after becoming pontiff.

• ‘The Pope’s Toilet’ (2007)

  

  El Bano del Papodetails the frenzied preparations by a small South American village on the border of Uruguay and Brazil ahead of an expected 1998 visit byPope John Paul II. Written and directed byCesar CharloneandEnrique Fernandez, the movie was Uruguay’s submission for the foreign-language film Oscar race but didn’t get a nomination.

• ‘Angels and Demons’ (2009)

  

  Brian GrazerandRon Howardfamously broughtDan Brown’s hit novel to the big screen withTom Hanksreprising his role as symbologist Robert Langdon fromThe Da Vinci Code. The film shows Rome as it prepares for the conclave as Camerlengo Patrick McKenna (Ewan McGregor) assumes temporary control of the Vatican. It later emerges that McKenna came up with a scheme to become pope, which leads to his suicide.

• ‘Pope Joan’ (2009)

  

  Donna Woolfolk Cross’ historical best-seller, about a ninth century pope who actually was a woman, took longer to bring to the big screen than the reign of most pontiffs. After decades in development purgatory, German producer Constantin finally delivered — with German actressJohanna Wokalekmoving from playing a terrorist in the Oscar-nominatedThe Baader Meinhof Complexto ascending St. Peter’s throne.John Goodmanhas a supporting role as wine-swillingPope Sergius.

• ‘The Borgias’ (Showtime)

  

  The notorious Borgia family, the 15th century dynasty that became known for spawning the worst of the bad popes, has inspired a dozen films and TV series. InNeil Jordan’s Showtime seriesThe Borgias,Jeremy Ironsgives his Machiavellian best as family patriarchRodrigo Borgia

• ‘Borgia’ (Netflix)

  

  Like The Borgias, this Netflix series centers on the Borgia family’s influence on the Vatican. Here, John Daman stars as Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, later known as Pope Alexander VI. The show ran for three seasons, tracking the Borgia family history from 1492 all the way until 1507, four years after Pope Alexander VI’s 1503 death.

• ‘We Have a Pope’ (2011)

  

  Much-fêted Italian directorNanni Morettiturned his filmmaking eye to the pope with his usual dry wit. The film details the relationship between a newly elected pope and his therapist.Michel Piccoliwon a best actor award at the David di Donatello Awards, Italy’s top film awards, for his turn as the head of the Catholic Church.

• ‘The Young Pope’ (HBO)

  

  Jude Law stars in The Young Pope as the fictitious Pope Pius XIII, accompanied by Academy Award winner Diane Keaton as Sister Mary. In the HBO series, Law’s Pope disrupts the Vatican and shifts most responsibilities to Sister Mary.

• ‘The Two Popes’ (2019)

  

  Before Conclave, Hollywood brought the Vatican to the silver screen with 2019’s The Two Popes, which spotlighted the story of the late Francis’ ascension (played by Jonathan Pryce) and his friendship with Pope Benedict XVI (played by Anthony Hopkins). The film grabbed three Oscar noms, including a best actor nod for Pryce for his portrayal of Francis.

• ‘The New Pope’ (HBO)

  

  While HBO’s The Young Pope was initially slated as a limited series, it got a sequel of sorts in The New Pope. In the 2020 series, Law reprises his role as Pope Pius XIII, though Cardinal Viglietti (Marcello Romolo) swiftly serves as his successor as Pope Francis II. However, when Viglietti is assassinated, The New Pope finds yet another new pope in Pope John Paul III (John Malkovich).

• ‘Conclave’ (2024)

  

  Edward Berger’s political drama depicts a fictional conclave after the pope in its story suddenly dies. Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with leading the College of Cardinals’ search for the new pontiff. The film is set over three days at the Vatican in Italy, and sees Fiennes’ Lawrence investigate and uncover scandals involving potential candidates before a new pope is chosen. Conclave garnered eight Oscar noms and one win, for best adapted screenplay, at the 2025 Academy Awards.

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