A Reminder

(Photo not mine. I had this is my drafts since last year.)

This morning, around 3AM, I finished watching The Two Popes, a Netflix movie about historical events concerning the lives of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio (late Pope Francis) and Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) and how they came into papacy. The Two Popes is a movie that gives insight and simplifies the pressure of modern-day changes on the church. It talks about the differences in opinions between Bergoglio and Ratzinger on whether the church should adapt to the worldly changes or revert to more conservative ways.

Warning: If you don't want spoilers then stop reading.

One of my favorite parts in the movie is when Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI) had a realization when he put out a candle, the smoke didn't rise as it normally does. He interpreted it as God's disapproval on his ways as pope. He then renounced his papacy and humbly asked the popular Cardinal Bergoglio whom he had contradicting principles with to accept the role of pope when appointed by the College of Cardinals. In the end, the two popes managed to look beyond their differences. The movie ended with a clip of smoke rising up from a newly put out candle which represented God's gratification.

Among the many things shown in movie, one thing that really imprinted on me is the idea that even popes and cardinals sin and make penance. With everything that goes on with our lives, it's good to have something to remind us to never stop asking for forgiveness for our wrongdoings. We might get intimidated by those who seem to have higher "state" of religious awareness that's why I think that the movie gives us a reminder that even popes make mistakes and the important thing is we acknowledge and account for our mistakes. We should always ask for God's mercy and forgiveness and should always try to make penance. :-)