The third installment of Esterno Notte shifts the series’ lens from the political machinery of the Italian state to the spiritual and personal anguish of the Vatican. By focusing on Pope Paul VI, Marco Bellocchio explores the intersection of faith, political pragmatism, and the "unfathomable melancholy" of a failure that was both personal and national. 1. The Perspective of the Holy See
While earlier episodes focus on political figures like Interior Minister Francesco Cossiga, Episode 3 highlights the dithering and compassionate nature of Pope Paul VI. The Pope, a close friend of Moro, is depicted struggling with his health and the immense weight of the crisis. Bellocchio portrays him not just as a religious leader, but as a man caught in a "dramatic whirlwind" larger than himself, desperate to save a friend while navigating the rigid non-negotiation stance of the Italian government. 2. The Failed Ransom and Public Appeals Esterno.Notte.2022.iTA.AC3.WebRip.x264.S01.E03-...
Essay: The Divine Dilemma in Marco Bellocchio's Esterno Notte The third installment of Esterno Notte shifts the
The series provides a "Rashomon"-style retelling of the 1978 kidnapping and murder of , the President of the Christian Democracy (DC) party, by the far-left terrorist group the Red Brigades . This specific episode, titled "Il Papa" (The Pope), centers on the perspective of Pope Paul VI (played by Toni Servillo) during the 55 days of Moro's captivity. The Perspective of the Holy See While earlier
A central conflict in the episode is the Vatican's attempt to intervene. Historical accounts—and Bellocchio's dramatization—suggest that the Pope attempted to assemble a massive ransom to secure Moro's release. However, this effort was ultimately thwarted by the state’s refusal to finance or recognize terrorism. The episode culminates in the Pope’s famous public appeal on April 22, where he asked the Red Brigades to release Moro "simply, without conditions"—a plea that Moro’s wife, Eleonora, tragically interpreted as a surrender by the Church. 3. Themes of Betrayal and Martyrdom