Call Me Francis

Call Me Francis is an impactful 2015 Netflix series that presents the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who eventually became Pope Francis, the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. This four-part biographical miniseries paints a compelling portrait of the man before he rose to one of the most revered positions in Roman Catholicism; it provides an in-depth exploration of his early years, his journey into priesthood, his dynamics with societal changes, and his ultimate ascension to the top of the Vatican hierarchy.

Call Me Francis is set in the politically turbulent time-frame from 1960s to 2000s in Argentina. The series delves deep into Bergoglio's past, his youth and early adult life in Buenos Aires, presenting a young idealistic man contemplating his life’s path, and stringing together a series of events that led him to the priesthood. The series strikes a keen balance between Bergoglio's personal and spiritual evolution, his relationships, his confrontations with self-doubt, and his commitment to his people, making this series more than just about religion, it's a human story that resonates on multiple levels.

As Bergoglio immerses himself into the world of priesthood, the series uses a measured pace to unravel the man behind the Pope, showcasing his love for literature and philosophy, his approach to education, and his struggle with the proper response to the heavy-handed Argentine government. The narrative presents Bergoglio as a man torn between his commitment to the church and his loud inner voice forcing him to take a stand in a political environment where neutrality is hard to maintain.

Call Me Francis takes a nuanced approach to suspense, developing tension through political unrest and emotional turbulence instead. A good part of the second half of the series is devoted to the Dirty War years in Argentina when the military dictatorship was accused of human rights abuses. Bergoglio’s response to this period of political turmoil forms an essential part of the narrative, tracing his transformation into a capable leader, defending his church and its followers, and showcasing the tough choices he had to make.

As the narrative shifts forward to his papal years, the show beautifully contrasts Bergoglio's past with his present as the newly appointed Pope Francis, highlighting his humble lifestyle, his devotion to interfaith dialogue, and his strong emphasis on compassion, humility, and outright opposition to clerical extravagance. This aspect adds a layer of authenticity to the drama while helping to paint a rounded picture of his personality.

The series takes care to carefully illustrate the core values of Pope Francis — empathy, humility, and the courage to stand up for justice — and how they were imbibed into him. It is a powerful way for viewers to understand the journey that made Jorge Mario Bergoglio into Pope Francis, not simply through his beliefs, but also through his interactions with war, poverty, and political corruption.

The cinematography in Call Me Francis is sweeping yet intimate. The aesthetics of the show use the beautiful Argentine landscape as a silent character in the narrative, bringing an authenticity to the series that echoes the Pope's own simplicity. The acting in the series is also note-worthy with Rodrigo de la Serna delivering a captivating performance as the young Bergoglio and Sergio Hernandez stepping in convincingly during the later years.

Some of its strongest moments come from its subplots, which aptly deliver the social and political climate in which Bergoglio lived, showing struggles not just from the perspective of the church, but also from the eyes of the ordinary men and women dealing with the harsh reality of military rule.

While it may have religious overtones, Call Me Francis is not just for Catholic viewers, it is a series that touches on universal themes of morality, responsibility, and the ongoing struggle between silence and action. This series is a character-driven exploration of an individual's life, making it both accessible and entertaining for anyone interested in understanding the life and development of one of the world's most influential religious leaders.