Would Vito Corleone Have Confessed to Cardinal Lamberto?

As a Roman Catholic, Vito Corleone believed in the sacrament of confession and viewed it as a private conversation between himself, God, and the priest. However, his character and actions in ldquo;The Godfather: Part IIIrdquo; reveal a different approach to his moral and ethical duties.

Vito Michael: Different Men, Different Values

Vito and Michael are two distinct characters, especially in the realm of morality. While Michael feels ashamed of his actions and desires legitimacy in order to atone for his sins, Vito is more self-assured and accepting of the dire path he has chosen.

In ldquo;The Godfather: Part III,rdquo; Michael seeks absolution from Cardinal Lamberto, but this is driven by guilt over having his own brother Fredo killed. Vito, on the other hand, would never consider confessing his actions as sins because he believed they were wholly necessary to protect his family and himself.

Understanding Vito Corleone

Vito is a complex character, steeped in pride and a profound belief in the necessity of his actions. His internal monologue and dialogue with Genco, his trusted consigliore, reveal the extent to which he has reconciled himself with his actions:

ldquo;Vito gently told his old friend that he was being blasphemous. In this matter, he was powerless. I think Vito might have as Michael did reacted positively to a chance of absolution.rdquo;

However, Vito's unique perspective runs deeper than mere piety. His understanding of confession and its purpose is fundamentally different from Michael's, suggesting that Vito would never seek this form of atonement:

Don Vito would never confess his sins, as he felt they were justified acts of protection for his family. He had resigned himself to living the life he chose without remorse, justifying each step as necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of his family and himself.

The True Purpose of Confession

For Vito, the true purpose of confession is far from merely saying sorry for one's sins. Instead, it is a means of understanding the entanglements in one's life and learning to love God despite them. Only when one grasps this deeper meaning can they truly seek the absolution provided by confession:

When one understands the true purpose of confession to confess one's sins and seek reconciliation with God they will readily turn to a priest for absolution.

Conclusion

Ultimately, while Vito and Michael both engage in acts that could be seen as morally questionable, their motivations and moral frameworks are vastly different. Vito's character is rooted in a sense of duty and practicality, while Michael seeks legitimacy and atonement for his past actions. This fundamental difference would prevent Vito from seeking absolution in the same way Michael does.

Understanding the true purpose of confession and its deep, spiritual significance can be a transformative experience. For Vito, however, this journey was one of acceptance and justification, not penitence.