S1.E1

Lenny, The American Pope

Name: Lenny, The American Pope
Genre: Drama
Released: 2017-01-15
Duration: 57 min
Rating: 8
Cast: Jude Law, Diane Keaton, Silvio Orlando

Episode aired Jan 15, 2017
TV-MA
57m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

Drama

While Lenny Belardo begins his pontificate as Pius XIII, he calls on Sister Mary, his childhood guardian for help, and begins to familiarize himself with the Vatican.While Lenny Belardo begins his pontificate as Pius XIII, he calls on Sister Mary, his childhood guardian for help, and begins to familiarize himself with the Vatican.While Lenny Belardo begins his pontificate as Pius XIII, he calls on Sister Mary, his childhood guardian for help, and begins to familiarize himself with the Vatican.

Director
- Paolo Sorrentino
Writers
- Paolo Sorrentino
- Peppe Fiore
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Paolo Sorrentino
Writers
- Paolo Sorrentino
- Peppe Fiore
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Trivia
There are numerous allusions to the pontificate of Pope Francis in this episode: Francis was widely unknown before his election; it rained on St. Peter's Square on the day of his election and it stopped raining once Francis arrived in the Loggia of the Basilica; on the day of Pope Benedict's resignation lightening struck St. Peter's Basilica; although Pope Francis seems cordial to the outside world, he too likes to keep his relations on a formal basis; unlike John Paul II or Benedict XVI Pope Francis also likes to dine alone.

Goofs
Pope Paul VI was the last pope to wear a tiara for his coronation. He decreed that thereafter no other pope would wear one. As a result, popes now wear the pallium (stole) as their sign of office. For coronations, popes now wear a mitre (albeit generously decorated).

Quotes
Lenny Belardo: Friendly relationships are dangerous. They lend themselves to ambiguities, misunderstandings, and conflicts, and they always end badly. Formal relationships, on the other hand, are as clear as spring water. Their rules are carved in stone. There's no risk of being misunderstood and they last forever.

Soundtracks
By Chris Johnston, Craig Markva, Jamie Evans,
Written by Labradford
Performed by Labradford

User reviews2

Featured review

8/10

Interesting Take on Catholicism

This introduces us to Pius XIII, the new young Pope, played by Jude Law. He is a harsh, demanding man, who has his own ways of doing things. He begins to challenge the way things are done. He sees the excesses and the silliness of the ancient rules. The show begins with a dream where he says outrageous things to the masses in St. Peter's Square. He says he favors abortion, gay marriage, divorce when necessary, masturbation, on and on. We also are introduced to Sister Mary (Diane Keaton) who has had an influence on him since his childhood. There is also the figure of James Cromwell, who plays the man who thought he would be Pope.