What happens when a newly elected Pope suffers a crippling panic attack?

Entertainment · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In Nanni Moretti’s 2011 comedy-drama We Have a Pope, the newly elected Cardinal Melville experiences a sudden, paralyzing crisis of confidence. Instead of appearing on the balcony to greet the faithful, he retreats into silence, forcing the Vatican to hire a psychoanalyst to treat the leader of the Church.

The film, titled Habemus Papam in its original Italian, explores the human fragility behind the office of the papacy. After the conclave reaches a two-thirds supermajority, Cardinal Melville is elected, but his immediate panic prevents him from appearing in St. Peter's Square. While the Holy See’s spokesman concocts excuses to stall the public, the College of Cardinals remains trapped within the Vatican, as church law dictates the election process is not officially concluded until the new pontiff is announced.

Director Nanni Moretti, who also plays the psychoanalyst Professor Brezzi, sought to depict a man overwhelmed by the weight of his new role. The narrative takes a surreal turn as the cardinals, left in limbo, pass the time with games and an international volleyball tournament. Meanwhile, Brezzi attempts to uncover the root of the Pope's anxiety, eventually taking him to see his ex-wife, another psychoanalyst, which leads to the Pope escaping his minders to wander the streets of Rome.

The film’s reception was polarized. While critics praised the production design and Moretti’s storytelling, the Roman Catholic community offered mixed reactions. Some, like Vatican correspondent Salvatore Izzo, called for a boycott, arguing the film offended the Church. Conversely, Vatican Radio noted the film lacked irony or caricature, and journalist Sandro Magister suggested that any official condemnation would only serve to benefit the producers. Ultimately, the film offers a meditation on leadership and inadequacy, culminating in a finale that leaves the audience questioning the nature of the Pope's duty.

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