The Two Popes (2019) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Bergoglio submitted his resignation out of frustration with the Catholic Church's handling of major scandals, particularly the sexual abuse crisis and the Vatican leaks. He felt the church was failing to embrace necessary reforms and had become disconnected from its people. When his resignation was submitted, he received no response from the Vatican, deepening his sense of disillusionment with the institution's leadership.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Bergoglio expresses disappointment that the church refused to adopt progressive reforms during the 2005 conclave.

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• archbishop of buenos aires
• vatican scandals
• church reform

Pope Benedict XVI resigned primarily due to the mounting pressure from the Vatican leaks scandal and the church's sexual abuse crisis. His decision was also influenced by his inability to effectively address the declining faith of followers and his perceived complicity in covering up crimes committed by pedophile priests, including the Peter Hullermann case. Benedict felt he lacked the physical and mental strength to lead the church through these challenges.

Foreshadowing: The Vatican leaks scandal and public scrutiny over his involvement in priest abuse cover-ups loom throughout the latter portion of Benedict's papacy.

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• vatican leaks scandal
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• 2013 resignation

The Vatican leaks scandal involved the unauthorized disclosure of confidential documents that revealed corruption, mismanagement, and financial improprieties within the Vatican. The scandal intensified public scrutiny of Pope Benedict XVI, particularly regarding his alleged involvement in covering up crimes committed by pedophile priests. This dramatically damaged the church's reputation and contributed to Benedict's decision to step down.

Foreshadowing: The scandal emerges seven years into Benedict's papacy, coinciding with Bergoglio's increasing frustration with church leadership.

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• paoletto gabriele
• document leak
• church corruption

The Dirty War was Argentina's brutal military dictatorship from 1976 to 1983, during which thousands of people were abducted, tortured, and killed. Bergoglio served as a Jesuit leader during this period and admits to feeling guilty for not doing enough to protect his Jesuit friends who were targeted by the regime. He confesses to Benedict that he failed to shield them from the military junta, carrying this burden of responsibility for decades.

Foreshadowing: The film hints at Bergoglio's troubled past through his reluctance to discuss his time in Argentina before moving to Rome.

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• argentina military junta
• bergoglio guilt
• jesuit persecution

Bergoglio received significant support in the 2005 conclave, finishing second to Joseph Ratzinger. However, he was not eager to become Pope and actually felt relieved when Ratzinger was elected. Bergoglio's progressive views on issues like homosexuality, women's ordination, and married priests put him at odds with the conservative faction of cardinals who ultimately supported Ratzinger's candidacy.

Foreshadowing: The film establishes early on that Bergoglio's beliefs differ significantly from Ratzinger's conservative ideology.

• 2005 conclave
• bergoglio votes
• papal election
• cardinal voting

Peter Hullermann was a German priest known to have a history of sexually abusing children. Despite his criminal record, Pope Benedict XVI (then Cardinal Ratzinger) approved Hullermann's transfer to another parish in Munich in 1980, where he continued to abuse victims. This became a major point of controversy during Benedict's papacy, symbolizing the church's systemic failure to protect children and holding Benedict personally accountable for the cover-up.

Foreshadowing: The film references this case during the debate between Bergoglio and Benedict about forgiving priests accused of sexual crimes.

• peter hullermann
• priest abuse cover-up
• munich transfer
• catholic church scandal

Pope Benedict summoned Bergoglio to his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo for a rare meeting that marked the first time a Pope received a Cardinal at this location. The meeting was initiated to address Bergoglio's submitted resignation and to have a direct conversation about the future of the church. Benedict also wanted to understand Bergoglio's perspective on church reform and potentially reconcile their ideological differences before making any decisions about leadership.

Foreshadowing: This unexpected summons comes after years of tension between the two cardinals and growing pressure on Benedict's papacy.

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• bergoglio summoned
• vatican summer residence
• papal audience

Father Jalics was a Jesuit priest who significantly influenced Bergoglio's journey toward priesthood. The film references Jalics as one of the key figures who guided Bergoglio during his spiritual development. Their relationship highlights the Jesuit formation that shaped Bergoglio's religious convictions and his commitment to a life of service within the Catholic Church.

Foreshadowing: Bergoglio mentions his Jesuit formation and the mentors who guided his early religious life.

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• jesuit mentor
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• spiritual formation

Initially, Bergoglio and Benedict engaged in heated debates about church ideology, particularly regarding forgiveness for priests accused of sexual crimes and the nature of communion. However, as they shared personal stories, Bergoglio about his path to priesthood and his guilt over the Dirty War, Benedict about the burdens of leadership, their relationship shifted. They moved from ideological opponents to two men who understood each other's burdens, eventually appearing together publicly in a rare display of unity.

Foreshadowing: Their bond develops gradually through intimate conversations about faith, guilt, legacy, and personal failures.

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The ending shows Bergoglio (now Pope Francis) and Benedict watching the 2014 FIFA World Cup Final together, symbolizing their reconciliation and the hope for a new direction in the Catholic Church. This moment represents the bridging of their ideological divide and Benedict's acceptance of the church's transformation under his successor. It serves as a visual metaphor for the church embracing a more compassionate and modern approach while honoring its traditions.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the film, Bergoglio shares his deep love for football, which he used to connect with people in Buenos Aires.

• world cup final 2014
• pope francis benedict
• church future
• reconciliation ending