The news of Pope Francis’ death, arriving amid Easter celebrations—a time of hope and resurrection—has cast a long and somber shadow across the globe. Revered for his humility, progressive healthcare policies, and relentless outreach to the youth, Pope Francis stood as a transformative figure in modern Catholicism. His passing not only marks the end of an era but also ignites pressing questions about the future direction of the Catholic Church. As the world begins to process the loss, attention inevitably shifts to the age-old tradition that will determine his successor: the papal conclave.
The term conclave, suddenly re-emerging into everyday discourse, refers to the secretive yet sacred assembly of the College of Cardinals, who are charged with electing the next Pope. A tradition over 800 years old, the conclave is held within the frescoed walls of the Sistine Chapel—a setting as grand as it is spiritually weighty. In the days to come, the cardinals will be sequestered, cut off from the outside world, and guided by prayer and solemn deliberation. The world will watch, breath held, until the iconic white smoke rises, announcing to the faithful that a new shepherd has been chosen.
This real-life ecclesiastical event finds an uncanny parallel in the 2024 film Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes. The film, directed by Edward Berger, unfolds with eerie timeliness, centering on the death of a fictional pope and the ensuing conclave that echoes today’s unfolding reality. Fiennes portrays Cardinal Thomas Lawrence, a man thrust into the spiritual and political maelstrom of papal succession. Through his eyes, viewers witness the delicate dance between faith, ambition, secrecy, and power that shapes the course of the Church’s leadership.
Though fictional, Conclave strikes a deeply resonant chord. It captures the solemnity of the ritual, but delves deeper—beneath the Latin prayers and crimson robes—to explore the human frailties, ideological divisions, and institutional tensions that may mirror the current scenario behind Vatican walls. The film doesn't just romanticize the process; it reveals the turmoil simmering beneath the surface—internal power struggles, cover-ups, personal doubts, and scandals that may never come to light in the real conclave but are nonetheless plausible.
At its core, the film offers a striking meditation on the themes of conscience, authority, and the soul of the Church. Fiennes’ character, while navigating hidden agendas and political alliances, confronts uncomfortable truths—about himself, the Church, and what true leadership demands in an age of disillusionment. His journey mirrors the broader questions the Catholic Church must now confront: Should the next Pope embrace Francis’ reformist legacy, or steer back toward conservatism? Can the Church remain relevant while staying rooted in its traditions?
In Conclave, the cardinal electors represent the vast spectrum of Catholic thought—progressives advocating for social justice, traditionalists wary of change, centrists walking a tightrope between the two, and social conservatives calling for doctrinal rigidity. These character arcs reflect real tensions within the Church: the delicate balancing act between tradition and transformation, authority and inclusion, past and future.
Carlos Diez’s portrayal of Cardinal Vincent Benitez, one of the leading papal candidates in the film, highlights the geopolitical and spiritual gravity of the election. Against a backdrop of global instability, media scrutiny, and moral crises, the film emphasizes how the papal choice extends far beyond Rome. It is a decision that will echo across continents, cultures, and generations.
In the real world, the Church’s next leader will inherit both Pope Francis’ towering legacy and a set of formidable challenges: declining church attendance in the West, abuse scandals, debates on celibacy and women’s roles, and the need for climate and economic justice. Like in the film, the conclave becomes more than a ceremonial vote—it is a crucible for conscience and vision.
What makes Conclave so timely is not only its plot but the conversation it sparks. It invites viewers—Catholics and non-Catholics alike—to ponder what it means to lead a spiritual institution in an era of rapid change. It shines a light on the hidden mechanics of one of the most secretive and consequential elections in the world, while also emphasizing the very human stakes involved.
As the world awaits the signal of white smoke from the Vatican’s chimney, Conclave offers a powerful fictional mirror to this defining moment. It reminds us that behind every robe is a man with doubts, behind every prayer a political gamble, and behind every tradition a need to adapt or risk irrelevance.
In the days ahead, as the College of Cardinals gathers under the frescoes of Michelangelo, they do not just elect a Pope—they shape the moral compass of over a billion people. And just like the film, the real drama is not only in who is chosen, but in what kind of Church he will lead.
