Vatican City – When the Pope passes away, cardinals from around the world gather for a secretive meeting called a conclave to elect a new pope. The 2024 film, Conclave, which recently won an Oscar, delves into this intriguing process. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini, the movie is based on the 2016 novel by Robert Harris. It explores the power play and decision-making among the cardinals as they convene in Vatican City.
While the storyline of Conclave is fictional, it offers a glimpse into how the voting process unfolds during a conclave. The film accurately portrays how cardinals are sequestered from the outside world as they deliberate on the next pontiff. Each ballot is burned after a vote until a two-thirds majority elects a new pope, with the smoke signaling the outcome to the public.
In both the movie and real life, the cardinals reside at Casa Santa Marta, overseen by nuns. However, the level of involvement depicted by Isabella Rossellini’s character, Sister Agnes, may be embellished, according to NPR. The Vatican also typically conducts prayers in Latin or Italian, not in English and Spanish as shown in the film, noted Piotr H. Kosicki, a history professor at the University of Maryland.
Expert opinions vary on the accuracy and portrayal of the conclave in Conclave. While the film’s acting and production values received praise, its plot twists were deemed far-fetched and unrealistic by some, such as Jesuit priest and church commentator Tom Reese. Without revealing spoilers, it is safe to say that the events depicted in the movie do not align with the typical proceedings of a conclave in real life. Ultimately, Conclave offers a dramatic interpretation of the secretive and centuries-old tradition of selecting a new pope, captivating viewers with its intrigue and suspense.