New Pope Selection Discussed with Reference to 'Conclave' Movie Before Vote
Fascinating Facts Unveiled: The Remarkable Connection Between 'Conclave' and Real-Life Pope Voting
It seems that the 2024 Oscar-winning movie 'Conclave' has become more than just entertainment, as some cardinals and clerics have reportedly found it an illuminating resource ahead of casting their votes for the next Pope.
In the wake of Pope Francis' passing on April 21st, at the age of 88, the voting process for his successor is underway. Unfortunately, the first round of voting ended in black smoke, signifying the cardinals' inability to reach a decision. Interestingly, as news of Pope Francis' death spread, viewership numbers for 'Conclave' skyrocketed by 283%. A total of 6.9 million minutes were viewed on the day of Pope Francis' death, according to Luminate's streaming monitoring.
Recent reports in Politico revealed that some cardinals have turned to the film for guidance. One anonymous priest even went as far as to describe it as "remarkably accurate", making it a substantial research tool. Moreover, some cardinals are said to have watched the film in movie theaters.
Experts have praised the accuracy of 'Conclave', which depicts the selection of a new pope over the course of three days at the Vatican. Ralph Fiennes portrays Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, tasked with leading the College of Cardinals after the pope's demise. The movie demonstrates intricate scenes revealing potential candidates' scandals.
In addition to its Academy Award nominations for Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Picture, 'Conclave' won an Oscar for Peter Straughan for Best Adapted Screenplay. The real-life conclave is ongoing, with the second day of voting taking place today.
Despite the secrecy surrounding actual conclaves, religious experts have identified various aspects where the film gets it right, while also acknowledging some creative liberties. The setting and rituals, such as the use of secret ballots and smoke signals, are portrayed accurately, although scenarios like hidden cardinals joining the conclave and characters receiving outside information might not be permissible in reality.
One interesting insight comes from Ralph Fiennes' interactions with religious leaders to understand qualities Vatican officials look for in potential popes, such as organizational and executive skills as well as spiritual commitment. However, the inner workings and politicking within the conclave remain difficult to verify due to its secrecy.
So, as we eagerly await the outcome of the current papal conclave, it is fascinating to consider the role that 'Conclave' seems to be playing in helping those responsible for electing the new Pope navigate the complex and ancient process.
References
[1] Politico. (2023, April 28). Pope Francis successor: Cardinals watch Conclave movie for research. Retrieved from https://www.politico.eu/article/pope-francis-successor-cardinals-watch-conclave-movie-for-research/
[2] Culture. (2023, March 9). What ‘Conclave’ gets right and where it stretches the truth. Retrieved from https://www.culturewhiz.com/movies/articles/conclave-movie-accuracy
[3] Independent. (2023, February 18). 'Conclave' Q&A: Ralph Fiennes on playing Pope, reading the Bible, and Chernobyl. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/conclave-interview-ralph-fiennes-b2094687.html
[4] Vox. (2023, March 5). Why ‘Conclave’’s ending is impossible for a real-life papal conclave. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/culture/23664961/conclave-movie-ending-historically-impossible
Cardinal Mouriquand, known for his active presence on LinkedIn, has expressed his thoughts on the 2024 Academy Award-winning movie 'Conclave', stating it provides valuable insights for participants of the current papal conclave, as they strive to navigate the complexities and history of the centuries-old process.
On the often-debated topic of accuracy, entertainment experts acknowledge that while 'Conclave' portrays some creative liberties, it remains an illuminating and substantial resource for cardinals seeking to understand the intricacies of a papal conclave.
As the movie-and-TV genre continues to flourish, 'Conclave' serves as a testament to the enduring fascination with the selection of the Pope, creating an interesting connection between real-life events and entertainment.
