Habemus Papam - A Pope Bows Out

There is still much mourning for the recently deceased Pope. But people around the world are also eagerly awaiting the decision on who will succeed him. Thousands of Christians have gathered in the square in front of St. Peter's Basilica to cheer the new pope. Finally, white smoke rises into the sky. The decision has been made. The people do not yet know that Cardinal Melville (Michel Piccoli) has been elected the new Pope by a large majority. But there's a problem: Melville doesn't want to be pope. He doesn't feel up to the task. With the help of a hastily summoned psychiatrist (Nanni Moretti), the cardinal's doubts are to be removed. But with every minute that the walk onto the balcony gets closer, Melville's anxiety increases and he sees only one way out - he escapes.

With Habemus Papam, director Nanni Moretti (My Son's Room) has staged a small comedy with dramatic undertones, in which understated irony triumphs over overt comedy. The glimpse Moretti offers behind the scenes of the Vatican shows a very human side of religion that one gets to see far too rarely. Watching the cardinals pass the waiting time with a volleyball tournament is just as entertaining as the somewhat clumsy attempts at moderation by a reporter at the Vatican.

But the film's greatest praise, of course, goes to the wonderful Michel Piccoli, who embodies the doubting cardinal gently, endearingly and with a charming twinkle in his eye. His ramble through Rome is filled with little enchanting moments that can also be understood as a small declaration of love for the city and its people.

It's nice that Moretti has always included humorous, light-hearted moments in his film, but never makes fun of the characters or religion. Habemus Papam is a very respectful film, as evidenced by the sumptuous set alone. After all, all the interiors had to be recreated in great detail, as no filming is allowed in the Vatican itself.

Small lengths and some rather unnecessary seeming sideshows do tarnish the pleasure a little bit. Overall, however, Nanni Moretti has succeeded in making a charming film that illuminates the duties and responsibilities of a pope from a completely different angle for once. For lovers of European arthouse cinema, Michel Piccoli's performance alone is well worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp