John XXIII: The Pope of Peace

John XXIII: The Pope of Peace
Written byFrancesco Scardamaglia
Massimo Cerofolini
Directed byGiorgio Capitani
StarringEdward Asner
Massimo Ghini
Claude Rich
Michael Mendl
Franco Interlenghi
Sydne Rome
ComposerMarco Frisina
Original languageItalian
Production
CinematographyLuigi Kuveiller
EditorAntonio Siciliano
Running time208 minutes
Original release
NetworkRai 1
Release2002 (2002)

John XXIII: The Pope of Peace (Italian: Papa Giovanni - Ioannes XXIII, also known as John XXIII, Pope John XXIII and Pope John XXIII: The Pope Of Peace) is a 2002 Italian television movie directed by Giorgio Capitani. The film is based on real life events of Roman Catholic Pope John XXIII.[1][2][3]

Plot

In 1958, Pope Pius XII died. Following his death, Cardinal Angelo Roncalli, overseeing his tomb at his local parish and receiving the news from his secretary Loris Capovilla, heads to the Vatican to participate in the conclave that will elect the new Pope. A bitter struggle erupts between the progressive cardinals and the conservative faction, led by Cardinals Alfredo Ottaviani and Domenico Tardini. Roncalli recalls some scenes from his past, such as his father's refusal to allow his son to become a priest, which led to an uncle supporting him; the support he offered to striking workers when he was a young priest; the secret negotiations he conducted with a Nazi ambassador to save Jews in Turkey during the World War II; and his mediation work on behalf of French bishops before President Charles de Gaulle. Shortly after, the election takes place and, under the name of John XXIII, Angelo Roncalli accedes to the pontificate. After this, numerous meetings with Anglican clergy and with the daughter of then leader of the former Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, Rada Khrushcheva, took place, in the face of the war that was imminent, which forged his legacy.

Cast

References

  1. ^ Giovanni Bechelloni (2003). Diventare italiani: coltivare e comunicare la memoria collettiva. Ipermedium libri, 2003. ISBN 8886908423.
  2. ^ Maria Volpe (23 April 2002). "Papa Giovanni, una fiction da record". Corriere della Sera. Retrieved 5 July 2015.
  3. ^ "Papa Giovanni, record con polemica". La Repubblica. 23 April 2002. Retrieved 5 July 2015.