‘The New Pope’ Episode 9: Chaos unfolds inside the Vatican and Pope Pius XIII is at the center of it
Spoiler alert for 'The New Pope' Episode 9
Time is of the essence in the Vatican which is burdened with an urgent and appalling situation as a group of terrorists has taken hostage of a couple of school children and priests on the island of Ventotene.
It’s also desperately trying to stop itself from drowning in the ocean of hoaxes and speculations after pictures of Pope Pius XIII’s (Jude Law) miraculous reappearance began making rounds in the media and the public.
Sofia Dubois (Cécile de France), tries to evade the situation she has been put in, by categorically denying the spotting of Pope Pius XIII, calling it a practical joke and dismisses the media personnel saying the Holy See refrains from commenting on deliberate provocations. But, the isolators (who walked baring their bodies into the ocean after Pope Pius XIII counted breathing came to an end on the radio) are in the pursuit of his sacred body or “body of the Christ” as they call it.
The New Pope, meanwhile, who is grappling with his own issues, continues to remain mum despite all the chaos that is unfolding within and outside the Vatican following the “re-birth” of Lenny.
The defining and most-awaited moment in the episode is when Pope Pius XIII and John Paul III (John Malkovich) come face-to-face. The New Pope expects the customary greeting from Lenny Bernado, who he thinks is nothing but a priest. Pope Pius XIII, however, believes that the Church is witnessing the signs of Catholic fanaticism which needs to be addressed and dealt with soon, rather than worrying about who is to call who ‘your holiness’.
And then, begins the rule of the young Pope in the Vatican, while the rest of them followed him, including the Your Highness John Paul III himself. Despite specific warnings from the nation’s top men and John Paul III's immense resistance, Pope Pius XIII declares war against the Caliphate by extending the young catholic army and arm them if need be.
When Lenny’s fanaticism meets obtuseness and Sir Brannox’s fragility begins to hurt the church more, Bauer (Mark Ivanir) tries to instigate Voiello to take over. But, Cardinal Angelo Voiello (Silvio Orlando) assures Bauer that if Pope Pius XIII declared war, his followers would immolate themselves across the world to extend their support.
Pius XIII agrees to show his face to the perpetrators as demanded by them in exchange for the release of the hostage. However, the Pope soon regrets everything he preached and even begins to question his existence when the perpetrators reveal themselves to be his idolators, including Esther Aubry (Ludivine Sagnier).
The finale episode brings Sir Brannox close to home as he decides to step down from his duties chooses to return to himself by going home and Pope Pius XIII after delivering a moving speech about The Middle Way and takes his last breath while being paraded to St. Peters Basilica.
The ending of ‘The New Pope’ wasn’t Paolo Sorrentino’s best as much more was expected from the two popes who triggered conversations and infuriated staunch Christians across the globe.