The Last Confession

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The Last Confession is a stage play by Roger Crane about the election and death of Pope John Paul I. In the story, Giovanni Benelli tells his tale in his last confession, revealing how he helped shape the 1978 papal election and how those actions tested his faith. Troubled by corruption in the Vatican, Benelli tries to influence the conclave to elect Albino Luciani as pope. Luciani becomes Pope John Paul I, but his honest, unconventional approach makes him enemies in the Church leadership. After only 33 days he dies suddenly. Benelli suspects murder but fears that an autopsy would harm the Church, so he ends the investigation and even tries to become pope himself. The conclave then elects Karol Wojtyła as pope, who becomes John Paul II. The play premiered in the United Kingdom on 27 April 2007 at the Chichester Festival Theatre. It is set in Vatican City in 1978 and explores themes of faith, power, and corruption.