21/23

After the Pope’s death, his ring (called the Fisherman’s Ring) is removed and destroyed

Chronology

When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world’s most secret and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundations of the Catholic Church. The actions that Cardinal Lawrence and the rest of the cardinals take during the film’s conclave process are true to the Catholic faith and centuries of tradition. The Vatican makes an official announcement that the throne of the Holy See (the governing body of the Catholic Church) is vacant. The papal apartment is closed with a crimson ribbon and sealed with a papal wax seal. The College of Cardinals retreats to separate apartments (called the Domus Sanctae Marthae or House of Saint Martha) to eat and sleep between votes.

Cardinal Benitez delivers his culminating address in Spanish

The windows and doors of the Sistine Chapel, where the election takes place and votes are cast, are darkened, closed, and locked to maintain the secrecy of the conclave. All of the cardinals speak fluent Latin, and many converse in Italian. Spanish and Italian are both derived from Latin, so the Cardinals would have a basic understanding of Spanish.. Sister Agnes: Though we sisters are supposed to be invisible, God has given us eyes and ears.. Referenced in The Saad Truth: My Review of Conclave (Film) – Wokeism Destroys Everything (2024).

Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini is the liberal favorite, while Sergio Castellito is Cardinal Tedesco, the conservative alternative

Allegri: Miserere Performed by Capella Musicale Pontificia Sistine, Massimo Palombella Courtesy of Deutsche Grammophon GMBHU under license from Universal Music Operations Ltd. The death of a pope and the subsequent election of a new one is an event that the Catholic world follows with great interest. As a period of mourning for the deceased pope is observed, the suspense builds and a worldwide audience learns the names and nationalities of the main contenders. This film shows the protocols that follow the death of a pope and takes the viewer inside the walls of the Vatican as we see the various contenders. Ralph Fiennes is excellent as Cardinal Lawrence, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, the church prelate who organizes and administers the conclave.

Other contenders rise and fall

There is tension and infighting that highlights the rivalry because the stakes are so high. The outside world never knows what form the discussions or potential conflicts will take because the process is highly secretive. This film dramatizes what could happen during the conclave. Some conclaves end in a short period of time; others take longer to happen. In this film, the vote reaches a deadlock followed by one surprise and then another.

A beautiful film and a great performance by Ralph Fiennes

We see how the Vatican and the world are not at odds, but interconnected. As an observer of these conclaves, I was drawn to the character of Cardinal Lawrence and the way he had to navigate the challenges and limitations of his role.