Paolo Sorrentino’s The Young Pope offers one of the most unusual and provocative portrayals of a pope ever seen on screen. Pope Pius XIII, played brilliantly by Jude Law, is unlike any pontiff in history. To begin with, he smokes cigarettes, refuses to allow himself to be photographed, and deliberately cloaks himself in mystery, exuding a powerful and almost unapproachable authority. At the same time, however, beneath his authoritarian demeanor lies a deeply wounded man—an orphan abandoned by his parents, plagued by doubts about God, and yearning for love. He is fiercely traditional, yet his actions are often shockingly unorthodox.
Because of this paradoxical nature, Pius XIII challenges the Catholic Church, the world, and even himself with a radical vision of faith that seeks to meet the signs of the times while reclaiming the sacred. And while his behavior might seem baffling or even offensive at first, The Young Pope gradually reveals his humanity through a powerful theme of transformation. Ultimately, it is a series that invites viewers to reflect on leadership, vulnerability, and the divine mystery in ways that are both unsettling and inspiring.
The Paradox of Pius XIII
At the heart of The Young Pope is the enigma of Pius XIII, born Lenny Belardo. From the very beginning, his papacy is marked by a sense of mystery and contradiction. For instance, in his first address to the cardinals in Episode 2, he declares:
“You need to know I will never be close to you, because everyone is alone before God… God exists. And He isn’t interested in us until we become interested in Him—in Him exclusively.”
This stern and unrelenting focus on God’s exclusivity shocks both the fictional Church and the viewer. He rejects the accessibility and warmth of his papal predecessors, insisting on distance to restore a sense of the sacred.
And yet, looking back at the series as a whole, it becomes clear that this harsh approach stems from his own deep insecurity and woundedness. In Episode 1, for example, he makes a startling confession to Don Tommaso:
“I’m saying that I don’t believe in God, Tommaso.”
This moment of vulnerability reveals the depth of Pius XIII’s inner turmoil. Behind his stern theology and rigid exterior is a man wrestling with his own faith, his childhood wounds, and the overwhelming burden of leadership. So, while he may appear authoritarian and distant, his actions are often shaped by his struggles with doubt, loneliness, and longing.
Unorthodox Leadership in a Modern Church
Not surprisingly, Pius XIII’s leadership style is as unorthodox as his personality. Unlike his recent predecessors, who embraced media and public engagement, he refuses to engage with celebrity culture. Instead, he bars photographers from taking his picture and insists that his absence will direct the faithful’s attention back to God.
At the same time, his speeches are deeply provocative, often challenging contemporary notions of freedom and morality. For example, in Episode 1 (revealed to be a dream sequence), he delivers a surreal address:
“We’ve forgotten to masturbate! To use contraceptives, to get abortions, to celebrate gay marriages, to allow priests to love each other, and even to get married. We’ve forgotten that we can decide to die if you detest living… In short, my dear, dear children, not only have we forgotten to play, we have forgotten to be happy.”
It’s kind of hard to explain how this speech fits into the overall story without watching the entire series, but it’s clear that Pius XIII uses such moments to critique modernity’s promises of liberation and happiness. His papacy is a radical critique of modernity, calling for a return to the sacred while forcing the Church to confront its compromises with the world.
The Theme of Transformation
Looking back, one of the most compelling aspects of The Young Pope is the transformation of Pius XIII. At first, he seems rigid, aloof, and authoritarian. However, over time, his encounters with others—such as Sister Mary, Cardinal Voiello, and others—begin to soften his heart and deepen his understanding of his role as a shepherd.
Take, for instance, his prayer for his childhood friend Cardinal Dussolier in Episode 8:
“Remind him, Lord Almighty, of all our endless late-night conversations… We were children then, and that’s what children do: they paint the future in colors that reality can never know… Remind him not to grieve over all our shattered dreams.”
This heartfelt moment shows a deeply human side to Pius XIII—a man who has known disappointment and heartbreak but continues to hope and pray. In hindsight, his transformation throughout the series is not immediate or perfect, but it is deeply human, revealing a leader who is learning to open himself to grace.
A Radical Critique of Modernity
Throughout the series, Pius XIII’s leadership serves as a sharp critique of modernity’s emphasis on freedom and individualism. In Episode 2, for example, he boldly declares:
“Free yourself from God,” I’ve heard people say. “Liberate yourself from God.” But the pain of liberation is unbearable, sharp enough to kill. Without God, you’re as good as dead: dead, abandoned strays wandering the streets.”
These statements, while extreme, reflect his belief that the Church must stand as a counter-cultural force, pointing humanity toward the transcendent. And so, his papacy becomes a challenge not only to secular culture but also to the Church itself, which he critiques for failing to fully embrace its sacred mission.
Faith, Vulnerability, and Redemption
Of course, Pius XIII’s critique of the modern world is inseparable from his own personal struggles with faith and love. As an orphan, he feels the absence of a first love—the love of a parent—which shapes his insecurity and awkwardness. In Episode 9, he reflects:
“What is more beautiful, my love? Love lost or love found?… An orphan lacks a first love. That’s the source of his awkwardness, his naïveté.”
Moments like this bring us back to the heart of the series: a story of a man grappling with his own wounds, seeking redemption, and learning what it truly means to love.
A Call for Peace and Holiness
By the end of the series, Pius XIII begins to embrace a vision of peace and holiness that stands in stark contrast to his earlier rigidity. In Episode 10, for example, he makes a plea for peace that is as poetic as it is profound:
“We are all guilty; we are all guilty of war and death. Always. In the same way, we can all be guilty of peace. Always. I ask this of you on bended knee: I’m ready to die for you, if only you will become guilty of peace… Give me peace, and I’ll give you God.”
