Recommended for you
Following the recent death of Pope Francis, the world caught a rare glimpse into one of the most secretive rituals on the planet: the election of a new pope. The centuries-old process, known as the Vatican conclave, is steeped in both tradition and mystery.
Now that the American Cardinal Robert Prevost has been chosen as Pope Leo XIV, the first pope ever from the United States, plenty of people have begun wondering how the procedure works behind those locked doors.
Conclave, a gripping 2024 film, attempted to peel back the curtain, and while it’s dramatized for the screen, the movie offers a surprisingly insightful look at the high-stakes process.
Scroll to see how Conclavehelps explain the pope selection process...
What is the Vatican Conclave—and why is it so secretive?
Focus Features
When a pope dies or resigns, cardinals from around the world gather at the Vatican for a secretive event known as the conclave, held inside the Sistine Chapel. This centuries-old tradition can last for days or even weeks, as the cardinals vote to choose the next leader of the Catholic Church.
The secrecy surrounding the process isn’t just for tradition’s sake—it protects the sanctity of the moment and ensures the decision remains free from outside influence. While the election is guided by faith, it's also steeped in history, where politics, power struggles, and internal Church tensions have often played a role behind closed doors. Today, the closed nature of the conclave helps preserve its spiritual focus, shielding it from modern pressures and interference.
How does 'Conclave' portray the behind-the-scenes process of choosing the pope?
Focus Features
Conclave provides a dramatic depiction of this extremely private and frequently tense procedure. The film mostly adheres to the essential components of the conclave, including the rituals, the heated debates, and the political scheming that occurs in private, even though it makes creative concessions for dramatic effect.
Because of the Sistine Chapel's historical and spiritual significance, the setting increases the dramatic weight. The conflict between the many cardinal factions, each with their own goals and opinions on what the Church needs in a new head, adds to the intrigue. However, like many dramatized depictions of real events, Conclave heightens certain conflicts and personal stakes for the sake of the narrative. So, despite it capturing the essence of the conclave process, it is not necessarily a completely accurate reflection of every detail.
Who are the power players in 'Conclave'?
Focus Features
The main characters in the movie are the cardinals themselves, who each stand for various groups within the Church with differing levels of ambition, conservatism, and progressivism. Cardinal Lomeli's character, who struggles with the election's moral and political ramifications, stands out among these. Cardinals' disagreements are a reflection of the Church's larger conflict between upholding traditional teachings and accepting modern-day reform.
Each character embodies different aspects of the Church's political landscape, with each one aiming to garner influence while struggling with their personal beliefs, ambitions, and the ethical dilemma of electing a pope. The political and spiritual tension is palpable, and the stakes feel incredibly high, as each cardinal seeks to balance their duties to the Church and their ambitions.
What themes does 'Conclave' explore about power and faith?
Focus Features
Conclave explores the moral conundrums that occur when human ambition and religious obligation collide as it digs deeply into the subjects of leadership, faith, and power.
The movie challenges the notions of spiritual authority and the difficulties of Church leadership, implying that choosing a pope is as much a political whim as it is a matter of divine heavenly intervention. Conflicts within the Church between those who want change and those who want continuity are reflected in the interior struggles of the characters.
Looking for more movie, TV, and entertainment news? Follow us on Facebook so you never miss a thing!
