As the world mourns the passing of Pope Francis, the cinematic lens once again turns towards the Vatican, a city-state steeped in spirituality, mystery, and political intrigue.
Over the decades, filmmakers have ventured beyond the towering colonnades of St. Peter’s Square and into the enigmatic world behind the Vatican’s ancient walls, capturing the allure of its secretive rituals and timeless architecture.
From fiction steeped in ancient conspiracies to meditative biopics on faith and leadership, Hollywood has often looked to the Vatican not just as a setting, but as a character in itself.
Now, with global eyes cast on the Holy See during this pivotal transition of papal power, it’s fitting to revisit some of the most compelling films set in the world’s smallest, and arguably most powerful, country.
Angels & Demons (2009)
Released over a decade ago but still gripping in its portrayal of ecclesiastical crisis, Angels & Demons begins with the death of a pope, eerily echoing the present moment.
As the College of Cardinals prepares for conclave, four potential papal candidates are abducted by a mysterious force claiming to be the Illuminati, an ancient society thought to have been extinguished by the Church.
Ewan McGregor stars as Camerlengo Patrick McKenna, the man temporarily entrusted with the reins of the Vatican, while Tom Hanks returns as symbologist Robert Langdon, summoned to untangle centuries of secret knowledge.
The plot fuses the haunting beauty of the Sistine Chapel with high-stakes suspense, culminating in a race to stop a deadly antimatter bomb hidden in the heart of the Holy See.
Adapted from Dan Brown’s bestselling novel, Angels & Demons blends fact with fiction, giving audiences a high-octane glimpse into the shadows of Church history.
Conclave (2024): Power, Secrets, and the Papal Seat
Fresh in the cinematic timeline and even more timely now, Conclave offers a taut political thriller set entirely within the walls of the Vatican during the days following a pope’s death.
As the cardinals gather in solemn secrecy, alliances are tested and secrets threatened to spill.
The drama pivots on four key contenders, including Nigerian cardinal Joshua Adeyemi (played by Lucian Msamati), who could become the first Black pope, if his hidden past doesn’t derail his ascension.
Meanwhile, a hidden letter from the late pontiff casts doubt over another contender, Cardinal Vincent Benitez, revealing explosive secrets known only to the highest echelons of the Church.
Based on Robert Harris’s novel, Conclave strips back the pomp to explore the psychological and moral dilemmas of those who seek to lead the Catholic flock.
The Two Popes (2019)
Not all films set in the Vatican are shrouded in conspiracy. The Two Popes offers a deeply human and contemplative story centred on the unlikely friendship between two spiritual giants—Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, the man who would become Pope Francis.
With Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce in commanding yet tender roles, the film imagines a series of heartfelt conversations that bridge ideological divides.
What begins as a papal summons to reject resignation evolves into a dialogue on purpose, forgiveness, and the future of the Church.
Adapted from Anthony McCarten’s stage play The Pope, the 2019 film is a study in humility, set against the grand backdrop of the Vatican gardens, chapels, and cryptic corridors.