The Last Confession

This is a fascinating account of Albino Luciani who was selected as Pope in 1978.  He reluctantly accepted the position and chose the name, Pope John Paul I.  David Suchet (who is well known for his portrayal of the Agatha Christie character, Hercule Poirot a Belgium detective), plays the role of Cardinal Giovanni Benelli.

I didn’t realize there was so much intrigue and politics in the Vatican.  I knew that there was to some extent due to the power and wealth involved, but not to the extent as portrayed in this play. 

When Pope Paul passed away, Cardinal Benelli negotiated with other Cardinals to select Albino Luciani because he himself lacked faith to be the Pope and he felt Albino would be a better Pope to initiate change.  When Albino did become Pope, he started to make a lot of sensible changes and transferring those who fought him to other roles.  He worked relentlessly and 33 days into his reign, he was found dead in his bed in the midst of reading reports. 

There was an investigation into his death because of the controversial circumstances but nothing ever became of it.  The leaders of the investigating council felt further actions would keep a new Pope from being elected and cause disruption in the church.  It was never clear if it was a natural death or if someone caused it.

At the beginning of the play, 5 years after the death of Pope John Paul I, it was

known that Cardinal Benelli was going to die because of health problems.   So he was going over the events, his role in those events and his torment that his actions caused the death of a good man and his suspicions of that man’s death. 

His last confession.  His confessor was dressed in plain garb and as the play progressed we find out that he is the Pope John Paul II.  He convinces Cardinal Benelli not to publicize what had happened as part of his confession to the world because of how it would affect the church.  In the end, Cardinal Benelli burns the written confession but is still tormented, wondering why and what this is all about.  As he goes through his last breath, it seems as if he has come to the realization and wondrously cries out, It is faith!  It is all about faith.

Despite the intrigue and politics, there are good men in the church but are influenced by the power, wealth and maintaining the status quo. This was a well written, well acted play.  We were in suspense the entire time and there was a standing ovation by the audience.  Including us.