Vatican on Screen: The Two Popes Filming Locations

One of the most important elements of any film is its setting, and few productions capture grandeur quite like Netflix’s The Two Popes. As one of the most striking portrayals of the Vatican on screen, the film brings audiences into the heart of papal history during the transition between Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce).

Set against this historic moment, the story unfolds through a series of imagined conversations between the two pontiffs at a pivotal time for the Catholic Church, before and after the latter stepped down from his role.

To match the scale and symbolism of this meeting, the filmmakers used some of the most visually striking religious and historical locations in Italy.

Pope Benedict XVI (Anthony Hopkins) and Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce).

While juxtaposing the traditionally conservative character of Benedict with his liberal counterpart in Pope Francis, screenwriter Antony McCarten chose instead to centre the film on the people behind the titles. Even as their viewpoints clash, the film aims to shine a light on their similarities rather than their differences.

Here, we take you behind the scenes at the spectacular locations that feature in The Two Popes.

The film explores the two people behind the pope “title”

The Vatican On Screen: Where Was The Two Popes Filmed?

Although the story is set largely inside Vatican City, most filming did not actually take place inside the Vatican itself. Strict filming restrictions mean that fiction films are not permitted inside Vatican grounds, so the production team recreated key locations across Italy.

Instead, to portray the Vatican on screen, the filmmakers used a combination of historic palaces, studio sets, and real religious sites to recreate the atmosphere of the Vatican and papal life with remarkable accuracy.

Insider tip: If you are planning to visit the Vatican City, you can still see many of the real locations that inspired these recreations, especially with an expert-led Vatican City guided tour, which helps uncover the stories behind the architecture and artwork.

St Peter´s Basilica is a wondrous site, at any time of day, but especially illuminated at night

Castel Gandolfo: The Real Papal Retreat Featured in the Film

One of the most important filming locations is Castel Gandolfo, the traditional summer residence of the popes.

Just 40 minutes from Rome, this lakeside town has served as a papal retreat since the 17th century. In The Two Popes, it represents a key meeting place and emotional backdrop for discussions between Benedict and Francis.

The gardens of Castle Gandolfo were used in the filming of The Two Popes

The Apostolic Palace was originally built for Pope Urban VIII as a retreat to get away from life in Rome, and has remained closely linked to the papacy ever since. During World War II, it even provided refuge to hundreds of displaced civilians under papal protection.

After he resigned, Benedict marked the end of his papacy within the Palace at Castel Gandolfo, choosing to remain there until the new pope was voted in by the Papal Conclave.

Duly, when Pope Francis was elected, the two popes historically met here on March 23rd, 2013. Instantly, photos of the pair embracing at the helipad of Castel Gandolfo proliferated in the media and headlines speculated about their 45 minute meeting. This made it one of the prime locations for The Two Popes and representing the Vatican on screen.

The Barberini gardens are beautifully manicured and have great views too!

Along with a number of changes he made when he came into office, Pope Francis opened the Papal Palace and gardens of Castel Gandolfo up to the general public to visit.

However, speaking to Architectural Digest production designer Mark Tildesley explained that while the crew obtained permission to film exterior shots, they weren’t permitted to film inside the palace itself. Instead they used two other palaces on the outskirts of the city to film the interior and close-ups. This goes to show what an opportunity it is to visit the palace and grounds.

Insider tip: Want to experience it yourself? Explore our Castel Gandolfo guide!

A peek at the sprawling gardens of Castel Gandolfo, previously the pope’s residence, which is now open to the public

Recreating the Vatican: How the Filmmakers Built the Holy See on Screen

Because filming inside Vatican City is highly restricted, the production team had to recreate its interiors and atmosphere elsewhere.

Key exterior scenes were filmed in historic Italian locations such as Caprarola and Mondragone, chosen for their Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles that echo Vatican design.

For interior spaces, including papal offices and ceremonial rooms, the production was reconstructed at Cinecittà Studios in Rome, Italy’s legendary film studio.

Jonathan Pryce as Pope Francis in Netflix film The Two Popes, counting ballots during the Papal Conclave

To get a faithful representation of the Vatican’s detail, the production designers also worked with historians and expert artists to recreate a number of rooms including the Room of Tears, Vatican offices and the incredible Sistine Chapel.

Speaking to Architectural Digest, Tildesley explained how the Sistine Chapel was created through an eight-week process during which a group of designers essentially ‘tattooed’ copies of the paintings onto walls at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome. This allowed the depth and vibrancy of the works to come to life without spending hours recreating the paintings (which they considered doing for a time!). The end result? So realistic it even convinced the Vatican experts they brought in to inspect the room before filming!

The level of detail in these frescoes is part of what makes visiting real-life Vatican sites so compelling. Nothing compares to seeing the original Sistine Chapel ceiling in person.

There is nothing quite like visiting in person to see Michelangelos frescoes on Sistine Chapel ceiling

Visiting the Vatican City: See the Real Locations Behind the Film

While The Two Popes recreates life in the Vatican on screen, the real Vatican remains one of the most extraordinary places in the world to explore.

When you visit the Vatican City, you can walk through the same architectural and artistic legacy that inspired the film, including:

• St. Peter’s Basilica
• The Vatican Museums
• The Sistine Chapel
• The Vatican Gardens (limited access)

Because of the size and complexity of the site, many travellers choose a Vatican guided tour to understand the history, symbolism, and hidden details behind what they are seeing.

Insider tip: Planning a trip to the Vatican? Read our guide to Visiting the Vatican Museums

An expert guide can reveal so much more about the history, art and architecture of the Vatican Museums

FAQs – Vatican On Screen

Is The Two Popes based on a true story?

So the answer to the big question, “Is The Two Popes based on a true story?”, is… “it is inspired by real events, but it is not a fully factual account”. The film is based on the historic resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the transition to Pope Francis, as well as their actual 2013 meeting at Castel Gandolfo. However, the private conversations between the two popes are imagined and dramatized for storytelling purposes.

Can you visit the locations shown in The Two Popes?

Yes, many of the real locations featured or recreated in the film can still be visited today. Castel Gandolfo is open to visitors and offers access to the Papal Palace and gardens, while the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City allow travellers to experience the real artistic and spiritual heart of the story. A Vatican guided tour is the best way to connect the film’s scenes with their real-world settings.

What is the best way to visit the Vatican and Castel Gandolfo in one trip?

The easiest way to combine both locations is to base yourself in Rome and plan separate half-day visits. The Vatican is best explored early in the morning with a pre-booked ticket or guided tour to avoid long queues. Castel Gandolfo is around 40 minutes away by train from Rome and works well as a relaxed afternoon or day trip, especially if you want to enjoy the lake and papal gardens at a slower pace.

A shot taken of the two actors while filming The Two Popes on location in the gardens of their summer residence.

Step Behind the Scenes at the Vatican

Inspired by The Two Popes? There’s no better way to experience the real locations behind the film than by exploring them with an expert guide.

Join a Vatican City tour with Walks of Italy and discover the stories hidden beneath Michelangelo’s masterpieces, wander the Vatican Museums without feeling overwhelmed, and stand in the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel where history, art, and faith come together.

Whether you’re fascinated by papal history or simply want to visit Vatican City in the most rewarding way possible, our small-group tours offer skip-the-line access, local insight, and an unforgettable journey through one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures.