FILM · 2019 · UK

The Two Popes

13 archived facts · 4 topics · 1 source · Last reviewed Oct 2026

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All facts (13)

1. #001

   At the Toronto International Film Festival, Sir Jonathan Pryce spoke about his physical resemblance to Pope Francis: "On the day Pope Francis was proclaimed Pope, the Internet was full of photos of him and me, and 'Is Jonathan Pryce the Pope?' Even my son messaged me, 'Dad, are you the Pope?'".

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2. #002

   After the Vatican refused to let them film The Two Popes, Netflix recreated Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel masterpiece in less than 10 weeks.

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3. #003

   Director Fernando Meirelles only became aware of Sir Jonathan Pryce while looking at photos of Pope Francis online. Side-by-side comparison photos of Pryce and Pope Francis frequently appeared in the search results. This led Fernando to look into Jonathan's filmography and interviews. Impressed by what he saw, Fernando gave Pryce the role.

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4. #004

   Like Pope Benedict XVI, Sir Anthony Hopkins is an accomplished pianist, and he actually plays the piano in this film.

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5. #005

   The script's title was initially "The Pope." After Sir Anthony Hopkins was cast, the title was changed to "The Two Popes" at his agent's request.

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6. #006

   None of the film was shot in the Vatican because the producers were not allowed to film there.

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7. #007

   The scenes set in St Peter's Square in Rome were created entirely through CGI rather than being shot on location.

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8. #008

   A full-scale replica of the Sistine Chapel was recreated at Cinecitta Studios in Rome (in fact, just a few centimetres larger to allow cameras to be placed). This replica took eight weeks to complete and was created using the original's "tattoo." The ink obtained from this was then absorbed into the plaster.

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9. #009

   Throughout the film, Pope Benedict XVI can be seen drinking Fanta. This is a nod to his having grown up in Nazi Germany, where Coca-Cola could not be produced or imported and Fanta was invented in its place.

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10. #010

    In real life, Sir Anthony Hopkins is an accomplished pianist. He is the one actually playing the piano in the film. He was improvising as he went along.

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11. #011

    Although they play a German (Pope Benedict/Joseph Ratzinger) and an Argentine (Pope Francis/Jorge Bergoglio) respectively, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sir Jonathan Pryce are both Welsh.

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12. #012

    Sir Jonathan Pryce was inclined to turn the role down when his agent called with the offer; he was not very keen to play a real-life person. Reading Anthony McCarten's script helped change his mind. He was asked on the day Pope Francis took office.

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13. #013

    Fernando Meirelles was the original choice for director very early in the development process. However, when he was first approached, he had to turn the opportunity down because he was deeply occupied with the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony. This took two years of his life. By the time his work was finished, the script was complete and he was able to accept the job.

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