How accurate is the movie 'Conclave' as the world awaits next Pope in Vatican

The Vatican announced on Easter Monday that Pope Francis, the Argentinian-born Pope celebrated for his progressive efforts to modernize the Catholic Church, died on April 21 . In the wake of his passing, cardinals from around the globe will convene in the hallowed secrecy of a conclave to appoint his successor. This enigmatic ritual of papal selection inspired Robert Harris's gripping novel "Conclave" in 2016, which was adapted into a 2025 award-winning cinematic thriller starring Ralph Fiennes , Stanley Tucci, and Isabella Rossellini.

The film's narrative revolves around the fictional Cardinal Lawrence, who finds himself entangled in a web of intrigue while presiding over the clandestine conclave, with twists that threaten to upend the church's very foundations. American Idol fans divided over 'disrespectful' song choices for Easter special Gene Hackman's New Mexico property has scary update as pictures emerge of home Rev. Thomas Reese, a political science expert and columnist at Religion News Service, praised the movie's depiction of the election process.



"The voting procedure was done very well," he commented, lending credence to the film's portrayal of the Vatican's inner workings. However, Reese pointed out a significant inaccuracy in the film's portrayal of Cardinal Vincent Benitez, played by Carlos Diehz. The character is depicted as a Cardinal in pectore, a Latin term meaning "in the heart," signifying a confidential appointment, reports the Mirror US .

In reality, a Cardinal appointed in pectore cannot partake in a conclave unless his name is publicly declared by the Pope before his death, which was not the case in the movie. As depicted in "Conclave," once a Vatican official addresses the gathered cardinals with the phrase "extra omnes," the cardinals are only permitted to communicate amongst themselves. However, certain officials can serve as messengers when necessary, even though the cardinals themselves cannot exit until a successful vote has been made.

A successful vote implies that one cardinal has garnered two-thirds of the votes and is thus elected pope. Typically, the conclave commences within 15 to 20 days after the papacy becomes vacant. DON'T MISS.

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Following the demise of Pope Francis, the mantle of responsibility fell on Irish Cardinal Kevin Farrell. After the funeral and nine days of official mourning prayers, attention turns to the College of Cardinals. Only cardinals below the age of 80 are eligible to vote.

They journey to Rome, swear an oath of secrecy, and are housed in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, a guesthouse located within Vatican City. Isolated from the world, they are devoid of mobile phones or any means to communicate with their homes. Their routine is marked by daily Mass, communal meals, and casting votes in the Sistine Chapel.

Each cardinal pens a name on a ballot, folds it, and deposits it into a chalice, all under the awe-inspiring ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo. The ballots are tallied and subsequently incinerated, with the ensuing smoke serving as a public signal - black smoke signifies "no pope yet," while white smoke heralds the election of a new pope. Sister Susan Francois, who holds the position of assistant congregation leader for the Sisters of St.

Joseph of Peace in New Jersey, was deeply touched by the human aspects of the election process portrayed in the film. "While we wish and hope and pray that it is entirely a spiritual discernment process, we are only human beings," she remarked..