Character Relationship Map: The Two Popes

Characters

• Jorge Bergoglio / Pope Francis (played by Jonathan Pryce) — protagonist

  Archbishop of Buenos Aires who travels to the Vatican to resign. He engages in profound theological and personal debates with Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting on his past during Argentina's Dirty War, hi...

• Joseph Ratzinger / Pope Benedict XVI (played by Anthony Hopkins) — protagonist

  Elected Pope in 2005, he confronts the Vatican leaks scandal and Bergoglio's resignation. He initially resists change but later confides his intention to abdicate due to his silence regarding Marcial...

• Young Jorge Bergoglio (played by Juan Minujín) — supporting

  Portrays Bergoglio's past during his early life and Jesuit formation. Appears in narrative recollections detailing his decision to end an engagement, join the Jesuits, and his early spiritual bonds wi...

• Cardinal Hummes (played by Luis Gnecco) — supporting
• Father Yorio (played by Germán de Silva) — supporting
• Father Jalics (played by Lisandro Fiks) — minor
• Gandolfo Nun (played by Daphne Mereu) — cameo
• Amalia Damonte (played by Sofia Mayra Cessak) — cameo
• Amalia's Mother (played by Maria Florencia Larrea Arias) — cameo

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Amalia's Mother → Amalia Damonte (mother)
• Joseph Ratzinger / Pope Benedict XVI → Gandolfo Nun (Professional Household Association)

  The supplied character list identifies a Gandolfo Nun, and the film's meeting takes place at Benedict's Castel Gandolfo residence.

• Jorge Bergoglio / Pope Francis → Young Jorge Bergoglio (Temporal Past And Present Self) — Young Jorge represents the protagonist's remembered formative past.

  The film recounts Bergoglio's early life through scenes of Young Jorge Bergoglio ending his engagement and joining the Jesuits.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Jorge Bergoglio / Pope Francis → Cardinal Hummes (Social Church Acquaintances)

  The supplied character list identifies Cardinal Hummes as a supporting character, but the provided plot reference gives no specific interaction.

• Father Jalics → Father Yorio (Alliance Spiritual Companions) — They share a formative spiritual connection within Bergoglio's circle.

  The film identifies Jalics and Yorio as spiritual friends connected to Bergoglio during his early Jesuit years.

• Jorge Bergoglio / Pope Francis → Father Yorio (Conflict Estranged Friends) — Their unresolved relationship embodies Bergoglio's lasting guilt.

  Bergoglio regrets that he never reconciled with Father Yorio and remains haunted by his actions and inaction during the dictatorship.

• Jorge Bergoglio / Pope Francis → Father Jalics (Social Reconciled Friends) — Their reconciliation helps Bergoglio confront his past.

  Bergoglio says that he eventually reconciled with Father Jalics after the events surrounding the Argentine dictatorship.

• Young Jorge Bergoglio → Father Yorio (Social Spiritual Friends) — Yorio belongs to Bergoglio's formative circle before the dictatorship.

  Young Jorge meets Father Yorio during his Jesuit formation, and Yorio becomes one of his spiritual friends.

• Young Jorge Bergoglio → Father Jalics (Social Spiritual Friends) — Jalics is an important early spiritual companion.

  Young Jorge meets Father Jalics after joining the Jesuits, and Jalics becomes one of his spiritual friends.

• Jorge Bergoglio / Pope Francis → Joseph Ratzinger / Pope Benedict XVI (Conflict Theological Opponents) — Their opposing views create the film's central dramatic tension.

  At Castel Gandolfo, Bergoglio and Benedict debate the roles of God, tradition, and the Church. They initially disagree over Bergoglio's resignation an...

Story Analysis

Two opposing church leaders confront institutional change, personal guilt, and the possibility of spiritual friendship.

Plot Progression

1. A Rivalry At The Conclave — Ratzinger is elected pope after the death of John Paul II, while Bergoglio receives the second-highest vote count. Years later, the Vatican leaks scandal and Bergoglio's unanswered resignation bring t...
2. The Delayed Conversation — At Castel Gandolfo, Bergoglio and Benedict debate theology, tradition, and the Church. Personal stories and an episode of Inspector Rex delay the practical discussion about Bergoglio's resignation.
3. Memories Of Argentina — Bergoglio recalls ending his engagement, joining the Jesuits, and forming friendships with Jalics and Yorio. His past during the Dirty War reveals the guilt that still shapes his judgment.
4. Confessions In The Chapel — Benedict reveals his intention to abdicate, while Bergoglio defends continuity and tradition. Both men confront moral failures before offering one another absolution.
5. Two Popes At Peace — Benedict publicly resigns and Bergoglio becomes Pope Francis. Their final shared World Cup viewing shows a warmer relationship beyond institutional rivalry.