Sandman Vatican scene sparks new backlash

A recent scene from Netflix’s The Sandman has stirred up quite a bit of controversy online. The scene in question features two men dressed as the Pope and a cardinal engaging in provocative behavior inside a Vatican setting. However, it’s important to note that these characters are not actually the Pope or any Catholic clergy members. In the show, they are Loki and Puck, characters inspired by Norse mythology and Shakespearean folklore, who pretend to be the Pope and a cardinal to cause chaos.

This scene is part of a larger plot where the main character, Dream, uncovers the deception of Loki and Puck after rumors spread that the Pope has accepted women into the priesthood. It’s all about trickster figures causing mischief in a Vatican backdrop.

The Sandman’s second season was released in two volumes, with this scene coming from season 2, episode 7, released on July 24, 2025. While the scene has been circulating since last summer, it recently gained traction due to clips being shared out of context on social media.

Although the use of papal imagery is meant to be provocative, it’s important to remember that the show is based on a comic by Neil Gaiman and was developed for TV by Gaiman, David S. Goyer, and Allan Heinberg. None of them are affiliated with the Catholic Church or any Christian denomination.

Netflix has not yet commented on this scene or its promotion, and the episode remains available on the platform. If you decide to watch it, just keep in mind the broader context of the show and how the scene fits into the larger storyline.