‘The New Pope’ creator Paolo Sorrentino branded ‘liberal freak’ but series garners critical acclaim

Paolo Sorrentino with ‘The New Pope’ has surely succeeded in creating a conversation among the audience. HBO’s drama series premiered its latest episodes tonight, which seem to have jangled the last nerve of some of the conservative fans. 

The latest offering of ‘The New Pope’, sees Sir John Brannox assume the role of the new pope of Rome as John Paul III, while Pius XIII lies comatose. 

Episode 3 and 4 ran high on drama, politics and lots of sex, as it dealt with the inner workings of the Vatican in the presence of the new Bishop. 

Although the highly intriguing elements incorporated in the series came across as appealing, its controversial nature has caused outrage by representing the Catholic values in a rather unconventional and “unacceptable” manner. 

On watching the latest episodes of ‘The New Pope’, viewers took to Twitter to call out the creator of the show, Paolo Sorrentino, for showcasing the church in the wrong light. 

One fan wrote, “#PaoloSorrentino, director of #TheNewPope gives new meaning to the word #blasphemy. He should be banned from setting foot in the Vatican City State & from all extra-territorial properties of the Holy See Romae & in toto orbe terrarum.”

“If you're interested in a vulgar, obscene & absurd view of the Catholic Church, watch #HBO's Season 2 of #TheNewPope It's a radical Liberal's shameless & disgusting caricature of Christ's true Church. A veritable monstrosity of a typically debased Italian anticlericalist!,” added another enraged viewer. 

However, those who appreciate Sorrentino’s approach towards exploring philosophical themes, have praised him for presenting them a brilliant show, which has received an average rating of 87% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

While one of his fans wrote, “I love how #TheNewPope can be one of the smuttiest shows on television while also being one of the most profoundly beautiful and thoughtful shows on television. There are moments that are pure trash immediately followed by transcendent beauty and deep meditations on faith.”

“I am a Sorrentino devotee, certainly enjoyed THE YOUNG POPE, but #TheNewPope is really rocking my Catholic aesthete sensibilities. So pleased and excited that we're only two eps. in, already dreading the end. I don't buy Malkovich as English lord at all, and yet he owns,” another added.