Unveiling the Papal Thriller: Real-World Cardinals Learned from "Konklave"
Movie serving as instrumental guide for authentic Vatican gatherings process - Movie employed to facilitate conclave proceedings in a genuine manner
Get ready for a juicy tale, folks! You might be asking, "What, pray tell, has the election of the new pope and an Oscar-winning movie got to do with one another?" Well, strap in, because it's a wild ride! Some of the cardinals gathered in Rome for this historical event have reportedly turned to none other than Edward Berger's 2024 hit film, "Konklave," for a little wisdom and insight on the grand, centuries-old process.
Pope Popcorn Time
According to the political magazine Politico, the grand cardinals have described this 2024 thriller as a "handy research tool" in their preparation to lead the Catholic Church into the next era. One cleric was even quoted saying, "A few have seen 'Konklave' in the cinema!" And why might that be, you ask? Well, the film has been praised by cardinals for its uncanny accuracy, particularly valuable for those with negligible experience in Vatican politics and protocol.
In case you don't remember, Konklave tells the thrilling story of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (portrayed by Ralph Fiennes), who finds himself in charge of the College of Cardinals following the pope's untimely demise. Over the course of three intense days in the Vatican, our hero must unravel a web of scandals involving potential popes as only a dedicated Netflix binge-watcher can.
Art Follows Life...Sorta
As you may recall, papal elections are as ancient as the Catholic Church itself, but the current one marks the first since Pope Francis passed the torch in 2025. It all went down on April 21, 2025, following a stroke and cardiac arrest suffered by the trailblazing, first Latin American pope in the Church's history.
Unlike its big-screen counterpart, the real conclave is facing some roadblocks, as it failed to elect a new pope on the first day—surprise, surprise! The mystery unfolds, folks, as we await the arrival of the next holy father. Though Konklave swept voters off their feet with its gripping plot and plot twists galore, winning an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, the outcome of this real-life conclave remains a tantalizing enigma.
Tension Between Screen and Reality
Critic Stephen Farber, writing for the U.S. magazine The Hollywood Reporter, had this to say about Konklave: "Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the film is the way it challenges the male-dominated structures of the Catholic Church. Isabella Rossellini's compelling portrayal of a nun playing a crucial role in overturning the established hierarchies adds a thought-provoking dimension to the plot."
Konklave, starring the inimitable Ralph Fiennes, Oscar-winning director Edward Berger, the storied Catholic Church, the picturesque Rome, and more—what a cast!
Pro tip: For a more comprehensive understanding of this fascinating melding of art and reality, you might want to brush up on the key elements of Konklave's portrayal of papal elections and the internal politics of the Church. Though the film takes some lies for dramatic flair, it remains a valuable source of information for those interested in the inner workings of the Vatican.
- Pope Francis, the trailblazing first Latin American pope, passed the torch in 2025, and the current papal election in 2024 is facing some challenges, as it failed to elect a new pope on the first day.
- Clerics preparing for the papal election have reportedly found Edward Berger's Oscar-winning film "Konklave" to be a "handy research tool," particular for navigating Vatican politics and protocol.
- Papal thriller "Konklave," which tells the story of Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (portrayed by Ralph Fiennes), has been praised for its accurate portrayal of the papal election process and subsequent drama.
- Critic Stephen Farber lauded "Konklave" for its portrayal of the nun character played by Isabella Rossellini, who plays a crucial role in challenging the male-dominated structures of the Catholic Church.
- The dramatic movie "Conclave," directed by Edward Berger and starring Ralph Fiennes, as well as the historic Catholic Church, the city of Rome, and more, has been recognized for its poignant examination of the centuries-old papal election process.
