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The Pope: Francis, Benedict, and the Decision That Shook the World
In February 2013, the arch-conservative Pope Benedict XVI made a startling announcement: he would resign, making him the first pope to willingly vacate his office in over 700 years. Reeling from the news, the College of Cardinals rushed to Rome to congregate in the Sistine Chapel to pick his successor. Their unlikely choice? Francis, the first non-European pope in 1,200 years, a one time tango club bouncer, a passionate soccer fan, a man with the common touch.
Why did Benedict walk away at the height of power, knowing his successor might be someone whose views might undo his legacy? How did Francis - who used to ride the bus to work back in his native Buenos Aires - adjust to life as leader to a billion followers? If, as the Church teaches, the pope is infallible, how can two living popes who disagree on almost everything both be right?
Having immersed himself in these men's lives to write the screenplay for The Two Popes, Anthony McCarten masterfully weaves their stories into one gripping narrative. From Benedict and Francis's formative experiences in war-torn Germany and Argentina to the sexual abuse scandal that continues to rock the Church to its foundations, to the intrigue and the occasional comedy of life in the Vatican, The Pope glitters with the darker and the lighter details of one of the world's most opaque but significant institutions.
Why did Benedict walk away at the height of power, knowing his successor might be someone whose views might undo his legacy? How did Francis - who used to ride the bus to work back in his native Buenos Aires - adjust to life as leader to a billion followers? If, as the Church teaches, the pope is infallible, how can two living popes who disagree on almost everything both be right?
Having immersed himself in these men's lives to write the screenplay for The Two Popes, Anthony McCarten masterfully weaves their stories into one gripping narrative. From Benedict and Francis's formative experiences in war-torn Germany and Argentina to the sexual abuse scandal that continues to rock the Church to its foundations, to the intrigue and the occasional comedy of life in the Vatican, The Pope glitters with the darker and the lighter details of one of the world's most opaque but significant institutions.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 29, 2019
147 people are currently reading
860 people want to read
About the author
Anthony McCarten
33 books336 followersAnthony McCarten’s debut novel, Spinners, won international acclaim, and was followed by The English Harem and the award winning Death of a Superhero, and Show of Hands, all four books being translated into fourteen languages. McCarten has also written twelve stage plays, including the worldwide success Ladies’ Night, which won France’s Molière Prize, the Meilleure Pièce Comique, in 2001, and Via Satellite, which he adapted into a feature film and directed, premiered at the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. Also a filmmaker, he has thrice adapted his own plays or novels into feature films, most recently Death Of A Superhero (2011) which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. Anthony divides his time between London and Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
December 29, 2020
Anthony McCarten rose to fame with his nonfiction book Darkest Hour which got Gary Oldman an Oscar after he transformed himself into a Victorian Englishman, and with his screenplay, The Theory of Everything, which nearly offered the same accolade to Eddie Redmayne. McCarten is clearly a kingmaker and in this book, The Pope: Francis, Benedict, and the decision that shook the world, he tackles one of the world’s grandest institutions: the Catholic Church.
At heart, this book is a comparative study between the two Popes, Francis and Benedict, two very different men with somewhat similar backgrounds. This background includes a close proximity with dictatorship/authoritarian regimes/fascism and violence. For Joseph Ratzinger it meant a childhood and youth spent in Nazi Germany, forceful enlisting in the Wehrmacht and in the Hitler Youth as well as a permanent fear of communism. For Jorge Bergoglio it meant a whole life spent in a politically unstable country where the government changed at the whims of military juntas with the occasional human rights infringement to boot.
It is undeniable that Ratzinger was much more protected, first by his parents and then by being lucky enough to live on the “right side” of the wall. After the war ended he was offered the peace and freedom of West Germany which allowed him the luxury of complacency and a life spent in the proverbial Ivory Tower – a place he should never have left.
Bergoglio’s case is very different which is why his mistakes have much more dire consequences. He spent his adulthood dealing directly with violence, poverty, and the disfranchising of the poor. One of his closest friends was tortured and killed during the Argentinian Dirty War. McCarten makes it clear that Bergoglio was partly to blame for the torture and imprisonment of two Jesuit priests; a fact that he's tried to deny – and actively conceal – until this day.
It is fascinating that despite the gravity of Bergoglio’s errors the reader still finds him more sympathetic than Ratzinger. We get the feeling, and clearly so did McCarten, that Bergoglio is aware of his sins, and tries to atone for them. Ratzinger sounds as if he believes himself sinless, as if he lives on a plane of existence higher than the rest of humanity. His blunders are owed not to the force of circumstances or difficult decisions. They are of his making, they are the product of his inability to lead, to empathize with others and especially, which is the most serious offense for a priest, an utterly lack of self-awareness and examination of the self. The Ratzinger that emerges from McCarten’s account is a disoriented old man who doesn’t understand the world and, what is worse, doesn’t understand himself.
To his credit McCarten does try to be impartial, but his subjects don’t really help. We sympathize more with Francis simply because Francis is much more sympathetic. My issue with the book is not the unbalance between the two personalities; they are what they are. The problem is that the structure of the book is somewhat nonlinear. He begins by telling us about Bergoglio, then jumps to Ratzinger, and then go backs to Bergoglio for no apparent reason. Furthermore, it should be noted that this is not really a work of investigation, but more of an introductory study. A good one, no doubt, but not comprehensive.
At heart, this book is a comparative study between the two Popes, Francis and Benedict, two very different men with somewhat similar backgrounds. This background includes a close proximity with dictatorship/authoritarian regimes/fascism and violence. For Joseph Ratzinger it meant a childhood and youth spent in Nazi Germany, forceful enlisting in the Wehrmacht and in the Hitler Youth as well as a permanent fear of communism. For Jorge Bergoglio it meant a whole life spent in a politically unstable country where the government changed at the whims of military juntas with the occasional human rights infringement to boot.
It is undeniable that Ratzinger was much more protected, first by his parents and then by being lucky enough to live on the “right side” of the wall. After the war ended he was offered the peace and freedom of West Germany which allowed him the luxury of complacency and a life spent in the proverbial Ivory Tower – a place he should never have left.
Bergoglio’s case is very different which is why his mistakes have much more dire consequences. He spent his adulthood dealing directly with violence, poverty, and the disfranchising of the poor. One of his closest friends was tortured and killed during the Argentinian Dirty War. McCarten makes it clear that Bergoglio was partly to blame for the torture and imprisonment of two Jesuit priests; a fact that he's tried to deny – and actively conceal – until this day.
It is fascinating that despite the gravity of Bergoglio’s errors the reader still finds him more sympathetic than Ratzinger. We get the feeling, and clearly so did McCarten, that Bergoglio is aware of his sins, and tries to atone for them. Ratzinger sounds as if he believes himself sinless, as if he lives on a plane of existence higher than the rest of humanity. His blunders are owed not to the force of circumstances or difficult decisions. They are of his making, they are the product of his inability to lead, to empathize with others and especially, which is the most serious offense for a priest, an utterly lack of self-awareness and examination of the self. The Ratzinger that emerges from McCarten’s account is a disoriented old man who doesn’t understand the world and, what is worse, doesn’t understand himself.
To his credit McCarten does try to be impartial, but his subjects don’t really help. We sympathize more with Francis simply because Francis is much more sympathetic. My issue with the book is not the unbalance between the two personalities; they are what they are. The problem is that the structure of the book is somewhat nonlinear. He begins by telling us about Bergoglio, then jumps to Ratzinger, and then go backs to Bergoglio for no apparent reason. Furthermore, it should be noted that this is not really a work of investigation, but more of an introductory study. A good one, no doubt, but not comprehensive.
May 6, 2025
The author describes himself as ‘a Catholic… once thus stamped, always stamped.’ And further writes that he was reared on ‘the tale of Jesus Christ, this young Jewish radical hailing from Nazareth two millennia ago claiming to be the “Son of Man” or, even more audaciously, the “Messiah” and “King of the Jews” sent by his father on a divine mission to rid humanity of the original sin blighting it since Eden, before being caught and crucified but then rising from the dead two days later…’
It doesn’t get better so I will stop there. McCarten has no use or respect for the Catholic faith or our traditions, yet he claims to be Catholic and sets himself as an expert we are supposed to trust on the papacy? And two particular popes?
My adult (still practicing her Catholic faith married to another cradle Catholic still practicing his faith) daughter* gave me this for Christmas or I would not even have tried to read it. That I persisted till page 97 was so I could tell her that I tried and for discussion’s sake. Prior to this I had read about the movie and knew the slant of the book and movie, but not the author’s background.
From the beginning I wondered if I should even bother with the writing of anyone who speaks so disparagingly of my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ? But again, it was a gift from my daughter…
As it is, the book’s agenda quickly became obvious. It is propaganda for Pope Francis and an attempt to rundown Pope Emeritus Benedict. It was weak to say the least, but I did mark a few places worthy of conversation with my daughter. She did learn after she bought the book that it was heavily prejudiced. (She got me another one, Pope Peter: Defending the Church's Most Distinctive Doctrine in a Time of Crisis, which I will begin shortly.)
On the front cover is a round insert like a sticker which reads, ‘NETFLIX, A NETFLIX FILM’. Had I seen that I wouldn’t even have needed to read a review or known the author’s background; it would have been enough for me to stay away.
Not recommended. At all.
5/6/2025: Edited for minor grammatical errors.
*She thought it would be good because of the topic, not knowing anything about book.
It doesn’t get better so I will stop there. McCarten has no use or respect for the Catholic faith or our traditions, yet he claims to be Catholic and sets himself as an expert we are supposed to trust on the papacy? And two particular popes?
My adult (still practicing her Catholic faith married to another cradle Catholic still practicing his faith) daughter* gave me this for Christmas or I would not even have tried to read it. That I persisted till page 97 was so I could tell her that I tried and for discussion’s sake. Prior to this I had read about the movie and knew the slant of the book and movie, but not the author’s background.
From the beginning I wondered if I should even bother with the writing of anyone who speaks so disparagingly of my LORD and Savior Jesus Christ? But again, it was a gift from my daughter…
As it is, the book’s agenda quickly became obvious. It is propaganda for Pope Francis and an attempt to rundown Pope Emeritus Benedict. It was weak to say the least, but I did mark a few places worthy of conversation with my daughter. She did learn after she bought the book that it was heavily prejudiced. (She got me another one, Pope Peter: Defending the Church's Most Distinctive Doctrine in a Time of Crisis, which I will begin shortly.)
On the front cover is a round insert like a sticker which reads, ‘NETFLIX, A NETFLIX FILM’. Had I seen that I wouldn’t even have needed to read a review or known the author’s background; it would have been enough for me to stay away.
Not recommended. At all.
5/6/2025: Edited for minor grammatical errors.
*She thought it would be good because of the topic, not knowing anything about book.
January 14, 2020
Not everyone's choice I feel but I had a personal interest and found it a worthwhile read.
January 24, 2025
نمایشنامه : دوپاپ
آنتونی مک کارتن
ترجمه ی حمید احیاء
نشر مانیا هنر
تعداد صفحات 168
در پشت جلد می خوانید
کاردینال برگولیو: ما این چند سال گذشته رو فقط صرف این کردیم که آدم هایی رو که با نظرمون درباره ی ازدواج دوباره و قرص ضد حاملگی و طلاق ودگرباشی موافق نیستن تنبیه کنیم. در حالی که کره ی زمین داره نابود می شه و نابرابری مثل سرطان داره رشد می کنه، ما ناراحت این بودیم که آیا درسته عشای ربانی رو به زبان لاتین برگزار کنیم یا نه یا اینکه درسته دختر بچه ها هم مثل پسر بچه ها دستیار محراب باشن یا نه؟! ما برای محافظت دور خودمون دیوار کشیدیم غافل از اینکه خطر واقعی از داخله، داخل با خود ما
آنتونی مک کارتن
ترجمه ی حمید احیاء
نشر مانیا هنر
تعداد صفحات 168
در پشت جلد می خوانید
کاردینال برگولیو: ما این چند سال گذشته رو فقط صرف این کردیم که آدم هایی رو که با نظرمون درباره ی ازدواج دوباره و قرص ضد حاملگی و طلاق ودگرباشی موافق نیستن تنبیه کنیم. در حالی که کره ی زمین داره نابود می شه و نابرابری مثل سرطان داره رشد می کنه، ما ناراحت این بودیم که آیا درسته عشای ربانی رو به زبان لاتین برگزار کنیم یا نه یا اینکه درسته دختر بچه ها هم مثل پسر بچه ها دستیار محراب باشن یا نه؟! ما برای محافظت دور خودمون دیوار کشیدیم غافل از اینکه خطر واقعی از داخله، داخل با خود ما
March 7, 2020
interesting book highlighting the lifes of the two popes Francis and Benedict where for the first time since 15th century there was 2 living popes
March 4, 2020
I am not Catholic, but I was swept up in the story of these two popes. McCarten does a wonderful job telling intermingling their histories as well as the history of the church. He respectfully satisfies the curiosity one has for the “secret” Vatican traditions, and then catapults the reader into the meat of this event, what came before to cause it, and the impact it has had—and is still having—on the world. This is a story I honestly didn’t think I cared about, but has become one of my most moving reads of the year.
September 1, 2022
I watched this movie before my trip to Italy and decided I would read the book, since I enjoyed the movie so much. I was met with the truth which was quite hard to swallow. The movie is a bit of a Wes Anderson portrayal of these two men. It is a glossing over of their actions and lives. I love the movie but I can’t deny this book brought to light the atrocities and, dare I say, flaws of both men who were/are pope. I liked this book for a solid critique and praise of both men. It’s incredibly hard as someone who was raised Catholic to stomach the cover up of sexual abuse in the church by previous popes, and to blatantly read about the wrong doings of our current pope. This isn’t fiction, it’s a look at the church, what it’s been and what it might become. I’m not sure where I stand on it.
July 20, 2021
This was a bias account of Popes Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. The author aims his biases against the former; and his adulation for the latter. Mr. McCarten holds Pope Benedict XVI accountable for all the sexual abuse scandals over the decades. Although he only accuses, he does not make a case for his allegations. Mr. McCarten also paints the present Pope in a decidedly more favorable light. He takes delight in telling his readers that Pope Francis said in an interview that President Trump "was not Christian." But then, again, Congresswomen Omar and Talib are also not Christians. So what is the author's point? Mr. McCarten also blames the former Pope on reinterpreting the Mass. This is not accurate. Mr. McCarten writes, in regards to the water and wine, "For this is the Chalice of my blood of the new eternal covenant: the mystery of faith: which shall be shed for you and for many unto the forgiveness of sins." McCarten accuses Pope Benedict of changing its meaning. The former Pope only wanted the exact interpretation from the original Latin; which reads, "Hic est enim Calix Sangunis mei, novi et aeterni testamenti: mysterium fideii qui pro vobis et promuttis effundetur in remissionem peccatortuam."
January 9, 2021
A really interesting look in to the backgrounds of both of the popes. I have watched the movie on Netflix but found the detail in this book to be very intricate and found both of these popes to have troubling pasts and how they reckon them in to their papacies.
February 3, 2020
Książka „Dwóch papieży” Anthony`ego McCartena opowiada o kulisach zerwania Benedykta XVI z ponad siedemsetletnią tradycją kościoła katolickiego abdykując z papieskiego stanowiska. Autor wiele miejsca poświęca biografiom obu papieży zarówno Benedyktowi XVI jak i Franciszkowi, kluczowym momentom w ich życiu, wydarzeniom które ich ukształtowały. Pochyla się nad tradycją kościoła, procedurami i zasadami konklawe czy abdykacji. Opisuje watykańskie lobby, polityczne utarczki i siłę wypowiadanych przez dostojników Kościoła słów. Książka McCartena to kopalnia wiedzy o Watykanie i rządzących nim powiązaniach i zależnościach. Jest również ciekawym punktem wyjścia do rozważań nad kierunkiem zachodzących w Kościele zmian.
„Dwóch papieży” okazało się być bardzo przystępnie i zgrabnie napisaną publikacją, którą czyta się zaskakująco dobrze. Ogrom informacji nie przytłacza. Momentami jednak lektura dłuży się, zwłaszcza w wątkach biograficznych. Autor nie boi podejmować się mówienia o tematach trudnych i kontrowersyjnych. Odważnie pisze o skandalach z Kościołem w roli głównej, niepokojących nastrojach i niedoskonałych relacjach papieży i kardynałów.
KSIĄŻKA CZY FILM?
Odwieczne pytanie, które często nie ma podstaw do tego by je zadać. W przypadku „Dwóch papieży” pokuszę się o stwierdzenie, że książka uzupełnia film. Lektura po seansie okazała się być kopalnią ciekawostek, a wiele kwestii, które w filmie nie zostały opowiedziane z należytą uwagą w książce były dobrze wytłumaczone. Zarówno film jak i książka mogą wywoływać wiele dyskusji i zmusić do zadawania sobie pytań, również egzystencjalnych. Polecam obejrzenie filmu w pierwszej kolejności, a jeśli temat i sposób jego zobrazowania Was zaintryguje śmiało sięgnijcie po książkę.
PODSUMOWANIE
Lektura „Dwóch papieży” nieco mnie rozczarowała i miejscami nudziła. Jednak stanowi ona dobre rozwinięcie tego co w filmie zostało niedopowiedziane czy potraktowane po macoszemu. Jeśli po seansie odczuwacie niedosyt to śmiało możecie sięgnąć po książkę McCartena, która jest publikacją dosyć skrupulatną i dokładną w oddaniu historii obu papieży i kulisów „przełomowych” zmian w Kościele. Szuka on odpowiedzi na wiele pytań, jest dobrym obserwatorem i nie boi się zabierać głosu w dyskusji o kontrowersjach czy aferach, które zatrzęsły Kościołem. McCarten nie jest jednak stronniczy wobec swoich bohaterów. Obrywa się każdemu, potrafi także oddać im słuszność w wielu kwestiach. .
Myślę, że jest to publikacja dla osób, których interesuje temat Watykanu i jego polityki, kulis konklawe czy indoktrynacji.
„Dwóch papieży” okazało się być bardzo przystępnie i zgrabnie napisaną publikacją, którą czyta się zaskakująco dobrze. Ogrom informacji nie przytłacza. Momentami jednak lektura dłuży się, zwłaszcza w wątkach biograficznych. Autor nie boi podejmować się mówienia o tematach trudnych i kontrowersyjnych. Odważnie pisze o skandalach z Kościołem w roli głównej, niepokojących nastrojach i niedoskonałych relacjach papieży i kardynałów.
KSIĄŻKA CZY FILM?
Odwieczne pytanie, które często nie ma podstaw do tego by je zadać. W przypadku „Dwóch papieży” pokuszę się o stwierdzenie, że książka uzupełnia film. Lektura po seansie okazała się być kopalnią ciekawostek, a wiele kwestii, które w filmie nie zostały opowiedziane z należytą uwagą w książce były dobrze wytłumaczone. Zarówno film jak i książka mogą wywoływać wiele dyskusji i zmusić do zadawania sobie pytań, również egzystencjalnych. Polecam obejrzenie filmu w pierwszej kolejności, a jeśli temat i sposób jego zobrazowania Was zaintryguje śmiało sięgnijcie po książkę.
PODSUMOWANIE
Lektura „Dwóch papieży” nieco mnie rozczarowała i miejscami nudziła. Jednak stanowi ona dobre rozwinięcie tego co w filmie zostało niedopowiedziane czy potraktowane po macoszemu. Jeśli po seansie odczuwacie niedosyt to śmiało możecie sięgnąć po książkę McCartena, która jest publikacją dosyć skrupulatną i dokładną w oddaniu historii obu papieży i kulisów „przełomowych” zmian w Kościele. Szuka on odpowiedzi na wiele pytań, jest dobrym obserwatorem i nie boi się zabierać głosu w dyskusji o kontrowersjach czy aferach, które zatrzęsły Kościołem. McCarten nie jest jednak stronniczy wobec swoich bohaterów. Obrywa się każdemu, potrafi także oddać im słuszność w wielu kwestiach. .
Myślę, że jest to publikacja dla osób, których interesuje temat Watykanu i jego polityki, kulis konklawe czy indoktrynacji.
January 4, 2020
Realmente sentí que el ánimo del libro es muy diferente a la película.
Me gustó la explicación sobre el cónclave y aquellas interioridades que no llegamos a saber sobre esos procesos y por no estar cerca de la dinámica política del Vaticano.
El libro es bastante crítico con las actuaciones de ambos papas en su carrera clerical, más con Benedicto XVI a quien no le reconoce ningún acierto. Al papa Francisco le reivindica un poco.
El autor, llamado católico, no profundiza en aspectos doctrinales que critica abiertamente quizás porque no ha entendido que Cristo es el mismo ayer, hoy y siempre, que hay temas como el aborto en que la Iglesia no va a ceder simplemente por estar acorde a tiempos modernos.
Este libro es político, nada que ver con aspectos de fe, doctrina. Expone muy bien los pecados de una iglesia que necesita purgar públicamente, que la feligresía debe entender y exigir que no se vuelvan a cometer actos abominables.
Nosotros, los católicos, debemos orar siempre por el sucesor de Pedro.
Me gustó la explicación sobre el cónclave y aquellas interioridades que no llegamos a saber sobre esos procesos y por no estar cerca de la dinámica política del Vaticano.
El libro es bastante crítico con las actuaciones de ambos papas en su carrera clerical, más con Benedicto XVI a quien no le reconoce ningún acierto. Al papa Francisco le reivindica un poco.
El autor, llamado católico, no profundiza en aspectos doctrinales que critica abiertamente quizás porque no ha entendido que Cristo es el mismo ayer, hoy y siempre, que hay temas como el aborto en que la Iglesia no va a ceder simplemente por estar acorde a tiempos modernos.
Este libro es político, nada que ver con aspectos de fe, doctrina. Expone muy bien los pecados de una iglesia que necesita purgar públicamente, que la feligresía debe entender y exigir que no se vuelvan a cometer actos abominables.
Nosotros, los católicos, debemos orar siempre por el sucesor de Pedro.
December 28, 2019
Este mes se estreno en Netflix esta pelicula. Coincidencialmente los dos papas vivieron tiempos díficiles. Benedecti con la Alemania Nazi de Hitler. Francisco con la dictadura en Argentina, la desaparición de dos padres jesuitas. Mientras Benedicto se mandaba hacer su perfume personal, Francisco tiene las mismas zapatillas de hace 20 años, ha besado los pies de enfermos de VIH en la última cena, un postura más moderada de las personas homosexuales, hace ver a un Dios más misericordioso. El autor del libro es católico, por tanto me gusto mucho su punto de vista que no se ve inclinado hacia ningún lado. Los casos de pedofilia que escandalizarón a Benedicto. Buen libro y buena película
May 4, 2020
La vida en el Vaticano es política pura, intereses personales, grupales e ideológicos. Anthony McCarten muestra una mínima parte en este libro. Sin embargo, pienso que pudo haber hecho un mejor trabajo. De manera personal, no entiendo el discurso que siguió para elaborar este libro. De todas maneras, puede leerse lo esencial sobre ambos personajes. De manera persona puedo decir que me ayudó a conocer mejor a Joseph Ratzinger y, desde que arribó como Papá, no me gustó su postura.
Al llegar Bergoglio como obispo de Roma, sentí alivio y me identifiqué enteramente con su proceso pastoral y de guía. Es, hasta el momento, modelo de congruencia y de aceptación de errores. Aunque, en la historia, parece mostrarse que es un político religioso que omitió muchas cosas. Sin embargo, pienso que hubo verdaderamente algunos casos de omisión de Francisco pero que, como político, no pudo lograr hacer más en su conexión con el poder de la Iglesia en Argentina evitando enfrentarse a un gobierno autoritario; una dictadura que no respetaba nada ni nadie.
El libro contiene muchos errores, lo que hace confusa la lectura. De todas maneras, recomiendo su lectura si se quiere ahondar un poquito en el papel político de la Iglesia católica.
Al llegar Bergoglio como obispo de Roma, sentí alivio y me identifiqué enteramente con su proceso pastoral y de guía. Es, hasta el momento, modelo de congruencia y de aceptación de errores. Aunque, en la historia, parece mostrarse que es un político religioso que omitió muchas cosas. Sin embargo, pienso que hubo verdaderamente algunos casos de omisión de Francisco pero que, como político, no pudo lograr hacer más en su conexión con el poder de la Iglesia en Argentina evitando enfrentarse a un gobierno autoritario; una dictadura que no respetaba nada ni nadie.
El libro contiene muchos errores, lo que hace confusa la lectura. De todas maneras, recomiendo su lectura si se quiere ahondar un poquito en el papel político de la Iglesia católica.
June 5, 2021
If you have an interest in the Vatican and Catholic hierarchy, you will enjoy this book. I certainly did. McCarten provides backgrounds for current Pope Frances as well as for Pope Emeritus Benedict. That is interesting and useful to know. Plus it provides some context on what may have led to Benedict's resignation, something not seen for hundreds of years. Also interesting are descriptions of major papal candidates for the conclaves in 2005 and 2013. McCarten includes the votes in the 2005 Conclave leading to Benedict's election; an anonymous cardinal had revealed these earlier. This was an excellent read since I'd also seen the movie, Two Popes. I plan to watch that again having read this book.
September 30, 2021
This is the story behind Pope Benedict’s retiring from his position and his somewhat unlikely successor Pope Francis, including the backstory of each Pope and the politics and practical matters surrounding this very unusual occurrence in the Catholic Church. This non-fiction book, a well-done historical account, does not read like a novel because it is based on documents and reporting that is on the record according to its extensive note section. So it is fascinating, but can be a little dry dealing with complex information and history. (The author, who is a novelist, playwright and screenwriter, first wrote the book and then a fictional screenplay that was made into a film.)
June 12, 2025
This book wasnt as engaging as I'd hope. It's a nonfiction perspective of the papacy of JPII to Benedict XVI to Francis. It was insightful towards the timelines and the differing dynamics of the Catholic church in different eras which led to the popes that were elected. Contrasting Benedict and Francis's charisms, the book shows the duality between where the church was and the conclave of both.
Ngl it was a bit of a snooze and that mayve just been due to the audiobook version but not sure if i would recommend this one
Ngl it was a bit of a snooze and that mayve just been due to the audiobook version but not sure if i would recommend this one
June 25, 2020
A história detalhada da eleição dos últimos dois Papas, a sua história, o que escondem e quais as suas diferenças! Para quem gosta de história e de conhecer como se passaram alguns dos factos recentes mais relevantes da mesma, é um livro muito bom. De fácil leitura, prende até ao fim. Não se limita a descrever a história, coloca questões e procura respostas, procurando preencher os espaços livres entre o que é conhecido e o que ficou por conhecer. Recomendo, principalmente complementado com o visionamento do filme, um portento de bem representar!
July 31, 2025
I am a Christian but not a Catholic. I remeber seeing the news when Pope Benedict stepped down and Pope Francis was elected. Not only has this book helped me understand my Catholic brothers and sisters more but also how the Catholic Church functions on different levels. This book gave insight to the hard past of both Popes and how their experiences impacted their views and ministries. How they both faced similar and different challenges as Pope. How they both felt the heaviness of this role. I would not only recommend reading this book also watching the documentary after doing so.
December 20, 2019
I picked up this book because I saw the preview for the Netflix film, and I wanted to get the story! While the sections on the conclaves from 2005 and 2013 were good, the rest of the book was meh, and it didn't really provide anything new that wasn't already known from articles, documentaries, etc. To that extent, it's not really meant to be a history... more like a review of all of the articles and documentaries produced to this moment. [But, to be fair, I also said the same about McCarten's book, "Darkest Hour."]
January 6, 2023
Interesting book to read. Can be a bit hard to keep up with but enjoyable nonetheless.
March 21, 2020
Author Anthony McCarten is listed as a novelist, and while this book looks like a historical account, I have found a number of inconsistencies that make me affirm that it is, in fact, a historical novel -- albeit, current history.
There are numerous footnotes, which also give the appearance of being a critical narrative. However, many of McCarten's sources are encyclopedia entries, or interviews in the popular press. Many of these kinds of sources are actually deeply antagonistic to Bergoglio and/or Ratzinger, and there is little in the way of "sources" to counter that antagonism.
Having said this, I recommend the book. It is a good novel, well-written, and understood as literature, it raises many important and legitimate questions that I, as a member of the Church, feel we need to continually ask ourselves. Thanks, Anthony McCarten. Well done!
There are numerous footnotes, which also give the appearance of being a critical narrative. However, many of McCarten's sources are encyclopedia entries, or interviews in the popular press. Many of these kinds of sources are actually deeply antagonistic to Bergoglio and/or Ratzinger, and there is little in the way of "sources" to counter that antagonism.
Having said this, I recommend the book. It is a good novel, well-written, and understood as literature, it raises many important and legitimate questions that I, as a member of the Church, feel we need to continually ask ourselves. Thanks, Anthony McCarten. Well done!
July 13, 2021
No book written about religious figures will please everybody. This is not an academic treatise, but an easy to understand overview. McCarten writes a very accessible book.
May 19, 2022
A fascinating read about two Popes and their conflicts within the Church at a time when the Papacy faced great scrutiny from their management of the sex scandals and paedophilia cases: Ratzinger the scholar and Bergoglio the 'slum pope'.
Not only did I learn a lot about the Catholic Church, but also about the Papacy's role within Nazi Germany and Argentina during the 'Dirty War'.
Not only did I learn a lot about the Catholic Church, but also about the Papacy's role within Nazi Germany and Argentina during the 'Dirty War'.
January 7, 2025
On the basis of judgement that the author intended this to be a well-researched overview of two men who happened to find themselves in a significant history-making occurrence, I think he achieved his aim. When I watched the film years ago I found it lacking in substance and forgettable, which the book in contrast is not. There has been some good research done to provide more context to the personas we know of both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis according to what we hear.
That said, there are some significant allegations in here which warrant further consideration and investigation. The most significant and serious issue the Church is up against is the extent of the child abuse cover ups, to which the author outlines Benedict’s role in that. Similarly, there are some outrageously damning allegations levelled at Francis and his role in the Church’s complicity in the Argentinian Dirty War.
As the author takes pains to note, the hypocrisy is astounding: these men were supposed to be the guiding beacon for a Church proclaiming a global moral highground but in reality behaving demonstrably opposite. That said, he also allows the grace that, in both these situations, there is a human trying to deal with it as best he can. We haven’t been in their specific situations, and we’d like to think we would behave differently; but when the pressures at a point in time are what they are, who are we to say?
This book is a starting off point for me - I knew next to nothing about the Argentinian situation other than that ex-Nazis were somehow involved so I’d like to learn more about that; and for Benedict’s part of hiding behind study and books (and he’s not the first to have done that, lest we forget), it’s probably worth looking a bit more into his life and theology, particularly through that era where the coverups were especially prevalent.
That said, there are some significant allegations in here which warrant further consideration and investigation. The most significant and serious issue the Church is up against is the extent of the child abuse cover ups, to which the author outlines Benedict’s role in that. Similarly, there are some outrageously damning allegations levelled at Francis and his role in the Church’s complicity in the Argentinian Dirty War.
As the author takes pains to note, the hypocrisy is astounding: these men were supposed to be the guiding beacon for a Church proclaiming a global moral highground but in reality behaving demonstrably opposite. That said, he also allows the grace that, in both these situations, there is a human trying to deal with it as best he can. We haven’t been in their specific situations, and we’d like to think we would behave differently; but when the pressures at a point in time are what they are, who are we to say?
This book is a starting off point for me - I knew next to nothing about the Argentinian situation other than that ex-Nazis were somehow involved so I’d like to learn more about that; and for Benedict’s part of hiding behind study and books (and he’s not the first to have done that, lest we forget), it’s probably worth looking a bit more into his life and theology, particularly through that era where the coverups were especially prevalent.
January 8, 2020
Meine Meinung
Dem neuseeländischen Drehbuchautor und Romanschriftsteller Anthony McCarten kam die Idee zu seinem neuesten Roman »Die zwei Päpste« durch Zufall, als er sich zu einer Beerdigung in Rom befand und durch die interessante Tatsache, dass sich der emeritierte Papst Benedikt XVI. nur in geringer Entfernung zum aktuellen Papst Franziskus aufhält, inspiriert wurde.
Dieser Roman ist gleichzeitig die Vorlage für eine Netflix Filmproduktion, in der Anthony Hopkins und Jonathan Pryce in die Rolle der heiligen Väter der katholischen Kirche schlüpfen. Der Film wird ab 20. Dezember auf der Streamingplattform zur Verfügung stehen und zudem in ausgewählten Kinos zu sehen sein. Da ich ein großer Fan von Anthony McCartens Büchern bin und mich die Tatsache, dass der biographische Roman auch gleich noch als Filmvorlage dient, neugierig machte, musste ich das Buch einfach lesen, obwohl ich mit Theologie und der katholischen Kirche nicht viel am Hut habe. Immerhin hatte ich eine spannende Roman-Biographie erwartet, die tiefere Einblicke in die katholische Kirche mit ihren Skandalen und Vertuschungen gewährt.
Ganz im Sinne von Dan Browns Thriller-Reihe habe ich eine spannende Lektüre erwartet, die mit spannenden Hintergründen der beiden Päpste spielt und zu unterhalten weiß. Doch »Die zwei Päpste« lässt Anthony McCartens gewinnenden und fesselnden Erzählstil wie er ihn z. B. in seinem Roman »Licht«, der Geschichte über den Erfinder Thomas Alva Edison oder in »Jack«, seinem biographischen Roman über den polarisierenden Schriftsteller Jack Kerouac beweist, vollkommen vermissen.
Das hier vorliegende Werk von Anthony McCarten kommt einem Sachbuch gleich, dass zumeist in sehr trockener Form die Lebenswege der beiden Päpste skizziert und in einem Zusammenschluss der unterschiedlichen Geistlichen mündet, der einen Vergleich der beiden Lebenswege, die doch so weit auseinandergehen, anstrebt. Das alles wird mit zahlreichen Fußnoten zu den Quellen der Ereignisse belegt und dennoch habe ich nach der Lektüre dieses Romans nicht das Gefühl, der besonderen Beziehung zwischen den beiden unterschiedlichen Männern näher gekommen zu sein. Ich hoffe sehr, dass die Filmadaption mit Anthony Hopkins in der Rolle des Joseph Ratzinger und Jonathan Pryce in der Rolle des Jorge Bergoglio mehr überzeugen kann.
Fazit
Eine zumeist hölzerne Abhandlung über die unterschiedlichen Lebenswege der zwei Päpste, die etwas mehr Lebendigkeit gut vertragen hätte. Von Anthony McCarten bin ich definitiv besseres gewohnt, so bleibt am Ende nur auf die Filmadaption zu hoffen.
Dem neuseeländischen Drehbuchautor und Romanschriftsteller Anthony McCarten kam die Idee zu seinem neuesten Roman »Die zwei Päpste« durch Zufall, als er sich zu einer Beerdigung in Rom befand und durch die interessante Tatsache, dass sich der emeritierte Papst Benedikt XVI. nur in geringer Entfernung zum aktuellen Papst Franziskus aufhält, inspiriert wurde.
Dieser Roman ist gleichzeitig die Vorlage für eine Netflix Filmproduktion, in der Anthony Hopkins und Jonathan Pryce in die Rolle der heiligen Väter der katholischen Kirche schlüpfen. Der Film wird ab 20. Dezember auf der Streamingplattform zur Verfügung stehen und zudem in ausgewählten Kinos zu sehen sein. Da ich ein großer Fan von Anthony McCartens Büchern bin und mich die Tatsache, dass der biographische Roman auch gleich noch als Filmvorlage dient, neugierig machte, musste ich das Buch einfach lesen, obwohl ich mit Theologie und der katholischen Kirche nicht viel am Hut habe. Immerhin hatte ich eine spannende Roman-Biographie erwartet, die tiefere Einblicke in die katholische Kirche mit ihren Skandalen und Vertuschungen gewährt.
Ganz im Sinne von Dan Browns Thriller-Reihe habe ich eine spannende Lektüre erwartet, die mit spannenden Hintergründen der beiden Päpste spielt und zu unterhalten weiß. Doch »Die zwei Päpste« lässt Anthony McCartens gewinnenden und fesselnden Erzählstil wie er ihn z. B. in seinem Roman »Licht«, der Geschichte über den Erfinder Thomas Alva Edison oder in »Jack«, seinem biographischen Roman über den polarisierenden Schriftsteller Jack Kerouac beweist, vollkommen vermissen.
Das hier vorliegende Werk von Anthony McCarten kommt einem Sachbuch gleich, dass zumeist in sehr trockener Form die Lebenswege der beiden Päpste skizziert und in einem Zusammenschluss der unterschiedlichen Geistlichen mündet, der einen Vergleich der beiden Lebenswege, die doch so weit auseinandergehen, anstrebt. Das alles wird mit zahlreichen Fußnoten zu den Quellen der Ereignisse belegt und dennoch habe ich nach der Lektüre dieses Romans nicht das Gefühl, der besonderen Beziehung zwischen den beiden unterschiedlichen Männern näher gekommen zu sein. Ich hoffe sehr, dass die Filmadaption mit Anthony Hopkins in der Rolle des Joseph Ratzinger und Jonathan Pryce in der Rolle des Jorge Bergoglio mehr überzeugen kann.
Fazit
Eine zumeist hölzerne Abhandlung über die unterschiedlichen Lebenswege der zwei Päpste, die etwas mehr Lebendigkeit gut vertragen hätte. Von Anthony McCarten bin ich definitiv besseres gewohnt, so bleibt am Ende nur auf die Filmadaption zu hoffen.
August 28, 2024
Anthony McCarten's novel traces the lives, controversies and inaugurations of Popes Benedict XVI and Frances. There is a lot of talk about Benedict (formerly Joseph Ratzinger), who grew up in Nazi Germany, and Francis (formerly Jorge Bergoglio), of Italian descent, but growing up in Argentina.
McCarten traces Benedict's move from being a more liberal figure in earlier years, to becoming a very conservative Pope, standing out against Francis who has made a name for himself as a liberal thinker. Both, however, have clouded pasts, whether it's questionable actions during the Argentine "Dirty War", or responses to historical abuse in the church, or a lack of reflection on the atrocities of the Nazi era.
Unfortunately the strongest voice in this book is that of the author who can't help but hide his liberal leanings. As a guy who claims to come from a strong Catholic background, McCarten struggles to understand Catholicism as another other than a set of rules for moral living. Throughout the books it appears clear that he can't even countenance the idea that senior clerics may act in a particular way because they actually believe in God, and long to honour him with their lives.
The net effect is quite a depressing read, as the author consistently butts in, insisting that the church would be more meaningful if only it were willing to shape itself to the needs of the people, rather than insisting on being consistent (never even considering that the church might be seeking to be God-honouring).
Still worth 3 stars as a biography of two fascinating men, but no more than that, since Anthony insists on getting in his own way!
McCarten traces Benedict's move from being a more liberal figure in earlier years, to becoming a very conservative Pope, standing out against Francis who has made a name for himself as a liberal thinker. Both, however, have clouded pasts, whether it's questionable actions during the Argentine "Dirty War", or responses to historical abuse in the church, or a lack of reflection on the atrocities of the Nazi era.
Unfortunately the strongest voice in this book is that of the author who can't help but hide his liberal leanings. As a guy who claims to come from a strong Catholic background, McCarten struggles to understand Catholicism as another other than a set of rules for moral living. Throughout the books it appears clear that he can't even countenance the idea that senior clerics may act in a particular way because they actually believe in God, and long to honour him with their lives.
The net effect is quite a depressing read, as the author consistently butts in, insisting that the church would be more meaningful if only it were willing to shape itself to the needs of the people, rather than insisting on being consistent (never even considering that the church might be seeking to be God-honouring).
Still worth 3 stars as a biography of two fascinating men, but no more than that, since Anthony insists on getting in his own way!
June 27, 2019
The writer has no idea what he is talking about, and makes wild and fanciful assertions based on his ignorance. He suggests that because Jorge Bergoglio has stated that the story of Adam and Eve is not literal, then the resurrection of Christ is a fairy tale. Bergoglio has the power to change the depository of faith on his own but because there is a pope and a pope emeritus, infallibility is...fallible.
All of the above occurs in the opening. Could go no further. This is truly a pitiable work.
All of the above occurs in the opening. Could go no further. This is truly a pitiable work.
February 24, 2019
Excellent history on these two men, Benedict and Francis. The backgrounds of both of these men surprised me. The author did an excellent job of comparing and contrasting them. As well, he explains some of the decisions made by both. A clearly written history that leads us to where we are in the church today. Glad I read this.
September 26, 2020
'Were we able to look far into the future of the Catholic Church and learn that its fate was to become nothing more than a sacred book club, where fans gathered once a week to discuss their favorite characters and chapters, debate passionately the themes...
June 26, 2024
Should clearly state that the author hates Catholicism (and his own mother). Big man-crush on socialist-heretic pope Franco and hatred for Saint JPII. Also knows nothing about Pope Benedict and his early involvement with Ressourcement and communio.
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