The world awoke this morning to the news that Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church for over a decade, has died at the age of 88. His death brings an end to a 12-year papacy marked by reform, compassion, and controversy.
And now, it initiates a centuries-old process: the election of a new pope, a sacred ritual known as conclave. This very process hit Hollywood not long ago in Conclave, the Oscar-winning 2024 drama starring Ralph Fiennes.
Now, as the world prepares for an actual conclave, viewers are asking: how accurate was the film’s portrayal of this secretive and sacred tradition?
When a pope dies or resigns, the Catholic Church doesn’t waste time. Within days, its most senior officials, known as cardinals, are summoned to Vatican City from across the globe to begin conclave, Latin for “with key” - a reference to the cardinals being locked away until a new pontiff is selected.
Only cardinals under the age of 80 are eligible to vote. The conclave takes place inside the Sistine Chapel, beneath Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling, and is steeped in centuries of ritual. All communication with the outside world is cut off - phones, newspapers, even Vatican gossip.
The process is simple in structure but complex in politics: cardinals cast ballots until someone gains a two-thirds majority. After each round of voting, the ballots are burned.
If no pope is elected, chemicals are added to the fire to produce black smoke, and when a new pontiff is chosen, white smoke comes out from the chapel’s chimney - “Habemus Papam.”
Conclave, directed by Edward Berger and adapted from Robert Harris’ bestselling novel, hit cinemas in late 2024 and quickly became a critical darling. With Ralph Fiennes in the lead role as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the film dramatizes the chaos and intrigue that unfolds in the wake of a fictional pope’s death.
The story begins with a sudden papal heart attack. As the College of Cardinals assembles, Lawrence becomes our guide through the marble halls and whispered corridors of the Vatican.
Four men emerge as contenders: Stanley Tucci’s Aldo Bellini, - the American progressive - Lucian Msamati’s Joshua Adeyemi, - a social conservative from Nigeria - John Lithgow’s Joseph Tremblay - a moderate Canadian - and Sergio Castellitto’s Goffredo Tedesco - an Italian traditionalist.
But then comes the twist: a mysterious cardinal named Vincent Benitez (Carlos Diehz) arrives late - his appointment having been kept in secret by the deceased pope. What follows is a tightly wound thriller involving secrets, sabotage, and even a terrorist attack.
While Conclave is rooted in fiction, it strives for authenticity in key areas - and even consulted the late Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor during the writing of the novel it was based on.
The basics are all spot on, including the rituals used by the Catholic church for the entire process - including the destruction of the pope’s ring, a symbolic gesture to prevent forgery.
The film also portrays the cardinals staying at Domus Sanctae Marthae, the real-life Vatican residence used during conclaves. But some elements of the film take more creative liberties.
The level of campaigning seen in Conclave, with candidates openly lobbying for votes and scheming behind closed doors, is largely fictionalised. In real life, while cardinals can discuss issues, overt politicking is reportedly frowned upon - and sometimes forbidden.
And as for the mysterious Benitez, while the idea of secret cardinals is a real possibility, often for political or safety reasons, they are not eligible to vote unless their names are revealed before the conclave begins.
Also exaggerated is the idea of cardinals acting as detectives within the conclave. Screenwriter Peter Straughan has admitted this is a narrative device, telling USA Today: “There isn’t supposed to be any information coming in from the outside world… I’m not sure they’re used as detectives as they are in our story.”
With Pope Francis now gone, the world’s gaze turns once again to the Sistine Chapel. While any baptised Catholic male can technically become pope, in practice it will almost certainly be one of the cardinals.
And predicting the next pope is a notoriously thankless task. In 2013, few anticipated that a relatively unknown Argentinian cardinal named Jorge Mario Bergoglio would emerge as Pope Francis. This time, the field is even more wide open, but a few names stand out:
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (67)
Nicknamed “the Asian Francis,” this Filipino cardinal is known for his humility and progressive theology. Once considered Pope Francis’ personal favourite, he now heads the Vatican’s powerful Dicastery for Evangelization. But his relative youth could be a stumbling block - some cardinals may shy away from electing a pope whose reign could last for decades.
Cardinal Peter Turkson (76)
From Ghana, Turkson would be the first Black pope. A former head of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, he’s a vocal advocate for climate justice and social equity. Despite saying he prays against becoming pope, his frequent media appearances have kept his name in the mix.
Cardinal Peter Erdo (72)
A leading conservative voice, the Hungarian Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest is known for his deep knowledge of canon law and resistance to more liberal interpretations of doctrine. Seen as a “safe pair of hands,” he appeals to traditionalists uneasy with Francis’ reforms.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin (70)
The Vatican’s Secretary of State - effectively its prime minister - Parolin is a seasoned diplomat whose star rose during the Ukraine crisis. While admired for his competence, he’s been shadowed by a property scandal that could dampen his chances.
Cardinal Jose Tolentino de Mendonça (58)
The youngest of the likely contenders, this Portuguese cardinal heads the Vatican’s cultural and educational initiatives. As a writer and poet, he appeals to the intellectual wing of the Church, but his lack of senior curial experience may work against him.
Cardinal Robert Sarah (79)
A staunch conservative from Guinea, Sarah is beloved by traditionalist Catholics. He’s spoken out forcefully against modern ideologies and Islamic extremism, but his age - he’s just months shy of 80 - might make him an outsider.
The Vatican has yet to set a date for the conclave, but it typically begins 15 to 20 days after the pope’s death. In the meantime, the cardinals will make their way to Rome, and the world will begin speculating, praying, and watching the smoke above the Sistine Chapel.
Conclave is available to buy and rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and YouTube.
