“Conclave” was good, “The Two Popes” better, but “The Shoes of the Fisherman” the best yet.

Anthony Hopkins as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio/Pope Francis in “The Two Popes.”

A few months ago, the movie “Conclave” almost won the Oscar for Best Picture and Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence, was denied winning for best actor. Hollywood did the same a few years ago against, “The Two Popes” and denied actors Anthony Hopkins who played Pope Benedict XVI and Jonathan Pryce who played Pope Francis, of awards. Both movies were sensational and should have won and all three actors should have won their awards. But, I am biased.

From my small perch here at Peekaboo Trail, I’ve been a big fan of Pope Francis since the day of his election in 2013. His down to earth simplicity reminded me so much of the 1978, 33-day pope, John Paul I, who has a continual presence throughout my novel series, “The Hildegard Prophecies.”

Like John Paul I, Francis, who apparently was grumpier, impatient but very determined in private, did everything he could to change the papacy and make it more relevant to his tastes, to what a pope should be without the pomp and circumstance of high office. He wanted his papacy to be more down to earth, a church of the poor, to set that example. He largely succeeded. 

Since his death, the watching and streaming of “Conclave” has apparently gone through the roof. The world has great interest in this whole mysterious pope-making Vatican drama stuff. “Conclave” was a great movie and showed the often conflicting converging of egos and church politics.

But to me, “The Two Popes” is the better movie to watch for the real life conclave process, to get to know the issues faced by Pope Francis and his predecessor, Pope Benedict. Jonathan Pryce as Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio/Pope Francis was so so good, though I think Pope Benedict was more gentle and less prone to anger than depicted and Francis more grumpier. In private. he had to be to be steadfast in his determination to change the Vatican and its curia. Francis’ photographer always said that he could never get Francis to smile while posing, that his smile had to be spontaneous and natural when interacting with people.

As an amateur papal observer and now novelist, I’m often asked who I think will be the new pope. In 2005, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was front and center, was heavily favoured amongst the cardinals and was elected pope, taking the name Pope Benedict XVI. But an unknown cardinal named Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina, came a close second then. 

When Ratzinger resigned as pope in 2013, Bergoglio was now seventy-six years of age, and considered too old, not on anybody’s papabile list, despite the fact that he had come in second last time. He was not even on many of his fellow cardinal’s list until — Thursday, March 7, 2013 when he stood to speak at a meeting of the cardinals. 

During the “general congregations,” cardinals from around the world, meet daily to get to know each other, organize the pope’s funeral and decide on immediate church issues. After the pope’s funeral, these meetings turn more towards the conclave and exploring the candidates to be the new pope. They exchange views and some of them get to make three minute speeches about their vision of the church and the traits they want in a new pope.

During his three minute speech on March 7, 2013, Cardinal Bergoglio blew their socks off, speaking eloquently and forcefully of a new church, a church for the poor, a need for the church to go out to “the peripheries,” a need for change. One other cardinal also stood out with his little speech at that time, but he was considered much too young, then.

Unknown to the outside world and press, Cardinal Bergoglio became the cardinal’s instant favourite and was elected quickly and overwhelmingly on the second day, to the surprise of everyone. He took the name Francis, after the saint of the poor, St. Francis of Assisi. 

So, who will be elected this time around? There are many favourites, each with pros and cons and the list of possible candidates, papabile, is long. But remember two things: in 2013, Pope Francis came out of nowhere with his three-minute speech to get elected. Despite his age, he demonstrated vigour and vision to enact the changes the cardinals felt were needed.

And, that young cardinal who also spoke so eloquently but was considered too young in 2013? He is now 67-year-old Luis Tagle of the Philippines, considered a leading contender. He is just the right age, charismatic, an amazing speaker and loves the poor. He is often called, “The Asian Francis.” He has his detractors but they all do. So does Cardinal Cyprien Lacroix from Montreal. another contender on some lists. He was often by Francis’ side and was a member of Francis’ small group of nine cardinal advisers.  

Watch “Conclave” and most especially, “The Two Popes.” Another of my papal favourites is, “The Shoes of the Fisherman” starring Anthony Quinn. It’s actually my all-time favourite. But in “Two Popes” you’ll get to know Francis and the papacy a little better and appreciate his vision of the church and the world. He practiced humility and delivered humility. He had his detractors and opposition within and outside the church to be sure. A lot. But he prevailed, where he could.

And oh yeah, read, “The Hildegard Prophecies.“ It’s a historical and spiritual juggernaut whose backstories involve world history and events, all the popes, their conclaves in the 20th and 21st centuries and their relationship with the last pope — at the end of the world. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.