papal succession

His exploration of power structures, authority, and institutional hierarchies in films like 'Despair' reflects the complex dynamics of succession and control.

He directly engaged with papal themes in 'The Young Pope' and 'The New Pope,' examining succession, authority, and the burden of leadership within the Catholic Church.

His provocative critiques of institutional power and religious authority in works like 'Salò' reveal the corruption and succession of power through transgressive imagery.