Nach der Macht ist vor der Macht. THE YOUNG POPE als spielerisch–kritische Reflexion zu kirchlicher Macht heute

Sa？etak After Power — that’s how theologians describe the situation of the catholic church today. The TV–Series THE YOUNG POPE from Italian director Paolo Sorrentino, aired in October 2016 is an esthetically impressing, ironic piece on what papal power in the 21th century could be and what meanings power in a catholic context can have. This article deals mainly with four topics: (1) Structures of power. How are these structures made visible, who are their agents and how is the tension between collegial power and solitary power depicted? (2) Power to what purpose? What does this pope use his power for? Is it just erratic, unreasonable “powerplay” or are there goals that can be achieved only by the special power of papacy? (3) The power of images and the power over images. The TV–Series deals with the power images (photos, the internet) have in our world, even on the church and how this power can be mastered by refusing to be pictured. On a higher level this question also deals with the problem of images, especially the image of God in Christian theology. (4) The power of prayer and the powerlessness of doubt. THE YOUNG POPE also suggests a discussion on power through prayer and the experience of powerlessness in constant doubt of God. The representations of these two fundamental questions in catholic theology are quite irritating and impressive and worth examining