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.
Contents
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
Ed Asner as Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli
Massimo Ghini as Young Angelo Roncalli
Claude Rich as Card. Alfredo Ottaviani
Michael Mendl as Mons. Domenico Tardini
Franco Interlenghi as Mons. Giacomo Radini-Tedeschi
Sydne Rome as Rada Krusciova
Roberto Accornero as Mons. Angelo Dell'Acqua
Jacques Sernas as Cardinal Maurice Feltin
Paolo Gasparini as Mons. Loris Capovilla
Ivan Bacchi as Guido Gusso
Bianca Guaccero as Maria
Heinz Trixner as Franz von Papen
Sergio Fiorentini as Don Rebuzzini
Emilio De Marchi as Uncle Saverio
Guido Roncalli as Father Kurteff
Vincenzo Bellanich as Cardinal Giuseppe Siri
Alvaro Piccardi as Antonio Samorè
Osvaldo Ruggieri as Pope Pius XI
Tosca D'Aquino as Marianna Mazzola Roncalli
Nicola Siri as Giovanni Roncalli
Anna Valle as Rosa
Mauro Rapagnani as Young Angelo Roncalli
Petra Faksova as Sister Ivana