| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Michel Piccoli | ... | ||
| Jerzy Stuhr | ... | ||
| Renato Scarpa | ... | ||
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Franco Graziosi | ... | |
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Camillo Milli | ... | |
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Roberto Nobile | ... | |
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Ulrich von Dobschütz | ... | |
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Gianluca Gobbi | ... | |
| Nanni Moretti | ... | ||
| Margherita Buy | ... | ||
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Camilla Ridolfi | ... | |
| Leonardo Della Bianca | ... | ||
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Dario Cantarelli | ... | |
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Manuela Mandracchia | ... | |
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Rossana Mortara | ... | |
At the Vatican, following the demise of the Pope, the conclave to elect his successor settles on Cardinal Melville. But the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square wait in vain for the new Pope to step out on the balcony. What is going on? Behind the thick walls of the Vatican panic has set in. After uttering a terrible howl of fear, the Cardinal refuses the office. The officials do everything to try to reason with Melville, including a psychoanalyst, appointed by the Vatican... Do we really have a Pope? Written by Guy Bellinger
I am sure this movie will offend the sensitivities of ardent Catholics. After all anything that questions in any way the simplicity of their beliefs offends them. Nanni Moretti made perfectly Italian comedy. Without exaggeration, without huge belly laughs, but putting gentle smile on viewers face. A cardinal, amongst many who pray not be elected, becomes a pope and experiences an existential crisis. Nanni Moretti is obviously not a believer, but he is not a militant atheist either. He observes with regretful expression, because as he once said he is sorry that he is not religious. What holds this movie together is magnificent Michel Piccoli, a legend of European cinema. With his gentle smile and demeanor, this confused cardinal puts a very sympathetic face on the church that desperately needs help.