The American Pope

A drama by Esther Vilar

The year is 2042 and Pope Joan II is the first woman in history to ascend the ecclesiastical throne. As a result of decades of liberalization and adaptation to the demands of her members, the democratically elected Pope finds a ruined church. The places of worship are dilapidated and empty. An exodus of the faithful to stricter religions and sects, indifference and resignation among the deprivileged and impoverished clergy characterize the development of the church from glorious times of fame and worldwide recognition to the apocalyptic end of the line. Religion, in its significance as a place of human refuge and as a humanitarian and society-shaping authority, has disempowered itself and been stripped of its function. The rejection of personal responsibility, the fear of freedom and its consequences in terms of human thought and action are topics that the Pope addresses in her televised speech and with which she demonstrates to viewers the inevitability of a necessary change in the situation. Esther Vilar relentlessly holds a mirror up to everyone, relentlessly exposing, accusing and convincing them of appearances, lies and their own failures.