New Pope expected to retain Church’s longstanding position on Star Wars prequels

The new Pope; Leo XIV, is expected to re-affirm the Church’s longstanding opposition to the Star Wars prequels.

Although the Holy See’s stance on the prequels had softened under the leadership of Francis, particularly The Phantom Menace, the official position remained that the Church was opposed to the films. 

There had been some hope that a new pope might reverse this position, leaving Catholics across the globe to enjoy the stories of Anakin, Obi-Wan and Jar Jar, but it seems that the new pope won’t be pushing for such a radical change so early in his papacy.

The Catholic Church held a neutral stance on the films initially, but when the more hardline Pope Benedict XVI came to lead the church, he made it clear that the traditional doctrines of the Catholic Church opposed the Star Wars prequels. It was a declaration that shocked many who were unable to understand how ancient writings, with no foresight of how people lived their lives in the 2000s, could stand opposed to the Star Wars prequels. It also meant that many Catholics never got to see how the trilogy concluded in Revenge of the Sith.

Although the inner workings of the highest level of the Catholic Church remain secretive, it is hoped that a more modern wing of the cardinals will maintain pressure for liberalisation of the church’s attitude towards the Star Wars prequels, but that could still take years.

In brighter news, it is thought that Pope Leo XIV, in the coming months, will lift the Church’s opposition to the Equalizer films, to the relief of Catholic Denzel Washington fans across the world.