I agree that the end is not unguessable, but it’s pure wish fulfillment, and it’s not earned by the characters involved.

I agree, completely unearned. My headcanon has the movie end quite differently and more satisfactorily (but I won’t give spoilers).

It was a surprisingly good drama, but I felt the ending was a bit formulaic.

The Catholic/Papal setting is technically central to the film, and provides amazing visuals, but, like many good films, the movie is centred on interesting characters and their personal struggles. The movie could be rewritten to place it in any organisation and it would still be great. I say this not to downplay the religious angle, but to highlight that you don’t have to be Catholic to enjoy it.

Having said that, the lead actors’ performances are amazing and work wonderfully together.