Fresh outrage has erupted online after widely shared promotional material from Netflix’s The Sandman appeared to show a figure dressed as the Pope kissing a cardinal.
The reaction has been driven by screenshots and short video clips circulated heavily across social media over the past 48 hours, many of which originate from Netflix’s own promotional rollout.
One widely shared excerpt, distributed through Netflix’s official channel under the title “Dream Meets Puck and Loki”, shows two men in papal and cardinal attire engaged in provocative behaviour inside a Vatican setting.
The footage comes from The Sandman season 2, episode 7, released as part of the second volume on July 24, 2025. However, contrary to claims made in some online posts, the figures depicted are not the Pope or members of the Catholic clergy. Within the narrative, they are the characters Loki and Puck, figures drawn respectively from Norse mythology and Shakespearean folklore, who disguise themselves as the Pope and a cardinal in order to infiltrate the Vatican and sow disorder.
The scene forms part of a broader plot in which the central character, Dream, confronts the disguised figures after news spreads that “the Pope has welcomed women into the priesthood”. During the encounter, Dream recognises their deception and refers to them as “collaborators in misdeeds”, before calling in a favour owed by Loki. The exchange confirms that the Vatican setting is used as a backdrop for the actions of trickster figures intent on causing chaos.
The second season of The Sandman was made available in two parts, with volume 1 released on July 3, 2025, and volume 2 on July 24, 2025. The scene in question has been in circulation since last summer, with its recent resurgence largely driven by the spread of clips and screenshots detached from their original context.
Despite this context, the use of papal imagery is deliberately provocative. The fact that the imagery appeared in official promotional material, rather than being confined to the episode alone, has intensified the backlash online.
The series is based on the comic created by Neil Gaiman and developed for television by Gaiman together with David S Goyer and Allan Heinberg. None of the principal writers or producers are part of the Catholic Church or any denomination of Christianity.
The Catholic Herald has approached Netflix for comment on the scene and its promotion but has not received a response.
At this time, the episode remains available on the platform as part of the second season of The Sandman, with the disputed scene continuing to circulate widely online.
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