I didn't really know what to expect going in to this show. I was interested to see how my Catholic wife felt about this show as well. She didn't have any issues with it from a religious stand point but one thing we did agree upon is how boring this show is. Full transparency we only got halfway through the season before quitting because we just didn't care. Nothing happens except people talking. They walk and talk, sit and talk, stare awkwardly at one another before talking, talk about what to talk about later, and have visions just to talk to them. Don't get me wrong the acting is great and the setting is fantastic but there was little substance to keep my attention. I was hoping for a look at the inner workings of the Vatican with a little excitement but found myself just browsing Reddit while people conversed in the background. For a show set within such an old instition that has been involved in so much world history it sure came off as exciting as watching people walk through a garden talking.

I love Jude Law, and I was so up for a gripping HBO series addiction, but after the first episode, I was distracted and un-engaged. It might just be me, but every dramatic moment, every bit of profound dialogue followed by thoughtful violin music, landed flat. The new pope is American for some reason - cool. He's vindictive, petty and contrary - got it. He may or may not actually be an atheist sociopath - okay.So? So that's it I guess. Watch a mean pope stomp around the Vatican ordering cherry coke zeros and being rude to people who are forced to be reverent to him. If you like it, if it blows your mind, power to you. I might check out what else is on.

I grew up Jehovah's Witness (left the organization 10 years ago) so maybe this show speaks to me in a different way than others but everyone encounters religion at some point in their life. Whether it's their disbelief in it or their whole devotion to it.The best part of this show to me is that you have a pope (Jude Law) who does NOT believe in God! A young pope, yes. But an old soul. This is one of the best performances, if not the BEST performance, I have ever seen from Jude Law. He was made for this role and I also give a huge round of applause for the writing on this show. I have never had a show hook me quickly, shock me happily, play with my brain and make me ponder about God. If Jude Law was pope, (or rather his character), I would be a catholic right now. 10/10 doesn't seem like a high enough rating for how original, mesmerizing, and thought-provoking this show is. I am currently watching the first season over for a second time. Do not come into watching this show with any predisposition. Have a blank mind and let the show wow it. You won't be disappointed.

What I am most bothered with this series is that it is detached from the reality of the real Vatican. Modern Vatican does not function like it was portrayed in the series. Modern Vatican under Pope Francis is closer to the people or at least it tries to be.Scenery and the dialogue and the clothes are fantastic. Nothing to say about that, except that it is not that real for this present times. It is more for the late sixties of the last century or even for some Pope a la Borgia Pope from the middle ages. It just does not make a cut for the present times. Not that I was not amused by it. I had a real feast for my eyes by watching it. I hope they make more seasons of it although I am not sure what new can they show to the people.All in all I recommend this series, but under condition to remember that it is just a TV series and it does not have touch with the reality of the real Vatican.