Four Ways the Film Conclave Sheds Light on the Secretive Way Popes Are Chosen
In 2024, a groundbreaking film titled Conclave took the world by storm, offering an intriguing peek into the clandestine process of selecting a new leader for the Roman Catholic Church. The movie, which earned accolades at the box office and clinched an Oscar, delves into a papal election where no clear frontrunner emerges. As viewers were captivated by this cinematic portrayal, real-life events mirrored fiction when 134 cardinals convened to elect a successor to Pope Francis behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel.
### A Glimpse Behind Closed Doors
The film draws on Robert Harris’s bestselling novel and plunges audiences into the secluded world of cardinal-electors during their intense deliberations within Vatican walls. Prof. Stephen Bullivant notes that while these cardinals isolate themselves to prevent external influences, they remain connected to reality through basic needs like food delivery. This centuries-old tradition aims to shield electors from outside pressures amidst today’s demand for transparency.
### Political Maneuvering Unveiled
Conclave masterfully captures the tension-filled atmosphere rife with strategic maneuvers and ideological clashes among cardinals vying for papacy. From backstabbing moves to rallying supporters for votes, political intrigue takes center stage in this high-stakes election process. Prof. Tina Beattie underscores that beneath divine guidance lies a web of power struggles and disagreements among cardinals with diverse agendas.
### Unpredictability Amid Diversity
Unlike traditional norms, Conclave introduces an unknown cardinal thrust into contention by a late pope’s secret appointment—a scenario unlikely in reality due to public cardinal selections before voting eligibility. Yet, as Pope Francis diversified his appointments globally over recent years, uncertainty shrouds this unprecedented election with candidates hailing from varied backgrounds and regions.
### Humanizing Divine Decisions
Director Edward Berger reshapes perceptions of infallible clergy with his portrayal of flawed yet relatable cardinals grappling with personal challenges akin to ordinary individuals. Prof. Anna Rowlands highlights how Conclave humanizes this spiritual process by showcasing universal themes of ambition, fear, and courage intertwined with divine purpose—a fusion that underscores its profound humanity.
From intense moments of decision-making behind Vatican walls to candid portrayals of inner conflicts among papal contenders, Conclave offers an immersive journey through a world imbued with spirituality and raw human emotions—making it not just a film about religion but a riveting narrative unraveling age-old traditions against modern complexities.
