“Conclave” Reveals the Hidden World Behind the Selection of a Pope
In the coming days, Roman Catholic cardinals under the age of 80 will gather at the Vatican to elect a successor to Pope Francis. The process, steeped in centuries-old rituals and cloaked in secrecy, is now drawing renewed public interest—thanks in part to the recent Hollywood adaptation, Conclave, directed by Edward Berger.
The film, inspired by the confidential nature of papal elections, earned $115 million worldwide and was praised for its relative accuracy. Dr. Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law at the Catholic University of America, called the depiction “quite accurate, save for a few things.”
Celebrated with top honors at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, the BAFTAs, and winning an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, Conclave dramatizes a fictional election triggered by the death of an unnamed pope. Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, the dean of the College of Cardinals, joined by Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, Lucian Msamati, and Sergio Castellitto as key contenders.
The film portrays the intense, cloistered environment of the papal selection process—from secret ballots to cafeteria conversations. And while experts applaud its realism, historian Piotr H. Kosicki of the University of Maryland cautions that few truly know what transpires behind conclave doors.
Many of the rituals shown—prayers, ballot threading, and the black or white smoke—are indeed part of the real process. Each cardinal casts a handwritten vote; if no two-thirds majority is reached, black smoke signals a failed ballot. Once consensus is achieved, white smoke marks the election of a new pope. Four voting rounds occur each day.
However, some artistic liberties were taken. For example, the film features prayers in English and Spanish, while actual Vatican liturgy is conducted exclusively in Latin or Italian, Dr. Kosicki noted.
As for the political maneuvering? According to Villanova University historian Massimo Faggioli, it's not far off. Campaigning often begins quietly after a pope’s death, during the sede vacante—the time when the papal seat is vacant. Cardinals may give interviews, engage in behind-the-scenes discussions, and participate in general congregations to weigh the Church’s future and potential candidates.
This time around, there’s no clear frontrunner, making the outcome of the conclave even more unpredictable. “It’s an open conclave,” Dr. Faggioli said.
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In Conclave, a new pope is elected after three days and seven ballots—an intense but believable timeline. Historically, modern conclaves have been relatively swift: Pope Benedict XVI was chosen in two days in 2005; Pope Francis, likewise, in 2013.
“Quick elections are seen as a sign of unity,” Dr. Kosicki added. “They send a powerful message to the world—and to the 1.4 billion Catholics watching.”
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