'The New Pope' finale has fans wondering if Lenny is dead for real this time: 'We just got Pius back'

Paolo Sorrentino's 'The New Pope' premiered its finale episode on HBO tonight. The intense episode showcased the rise of the young Pope while the new Pope John Paul III (John Malkovich) chose to step down to follow his dreams.

Besides bringing the long-loved character Lenny Bernardo (Jude Law) back to the Vatican, the last episode also shed light on issues such as religious fanaticism, terrorism and crippling politics within the Holy See.

However, of all the compelling factors observed in the finale what seems to have caught the attention of viewers is Lenny’s death. 

Maybe, we wouldn’t have been as surprised if he had died for the first and the last time. However, after juggling between death and re-birth throughout the two seasons, Pope Pius XIII is shown to have relapsed into the cycle once again, leaving fans puzzled.

One fan noted, "Wait... what?!? Pius XIII... dead? After all that, Lenny really is gone? Okay, I'm really sad. Truly sad. But he left a few miracles in his wake. Including making Voiello's greatest dream come true. Ahh, this finale was too much. #TheNewPope."

Meanwhile, another quipped, "What happened? Did Lenny get the coronavirus when he embraced the people? #TheNewPope."

"Ok so you giveth and you take away Is he gone again???" asked another frustrated fan. 
 
But, the overall response for the season finale of 'The New Pope' has been overwhelming, as fans can’t stop raving about Paolo Sorrentino's brilliant creation. 
 
A fan reviewed the episode with a tweet that read, "What a beautifully ambiguous, humane and compassionate finale of #TheNewPope, rebuking religious fanaticism and embracing the forgotten and dispossessed. The coda with the child razzing Voiello was the perfect self-aware punctuation to the show. Bravo #HBO."
 
"The last scene of #TheNewPope is worth the whole season. If anyone still had any doubts, now is certain: #PaoloSorrentino is a genius! @HBO," another added. 

Some fans who thoroughly enjoyed the finale have noted that they wouldn't mind even if 'The New Pope' isn't renewed for a Season 3 as they are content with what the second installment presented.

 "That #TheNewPope season finale was surprisingly great, if it ends up being the end of the series I think I’m fine with that," said one fan.